SAN DIEGO -- A construction crew grinding a stump alongside a Mission Hills intersection accidentally ruptured a natural gas line Thursday, prompting evacuations and street closures in the neighborhood.

The non-injury accident occurred about 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of Ibis and West Lewis streets, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Police advised residents in the area to keep their doors and windows closed and cleared several people from nearby St. Vincent de Paul Church and a number of students from the Catholic parish's elementary school.

The evacuated students were taken to a nearby park, SDFRD spokesman Maurice Luque said.

Shortly before 4 p.m., about five blocks in the area remained cordoned off as personnel with San Diego Gas & Electric continued trying to halt the leak, Luque said. About 500 homes in the area were without natural gas service.

The utility crews hoped to have the problem under control in the early evening.