BANGOR — Public safety authorities are evacuating a residential neighborhood in Bangor because of a natural gas leak in the area.

WZON-AM is reporting that workers are evacuating Fern Street, a mile-long residential street on the east side of the city. The station reports natural gas is slowly leaking in the area. The leak began just before 9 a.m. Friday.

Bangor’s fire department is responding to the scene and other area departments are providing backup. Fern Street is located south of Interstate 95, a little over a mile away from the Bangor Mall.