UPDATE:
Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department chief Sylvain Gauthier has just provided the Observer with an update on the gas leak in the 400 block of Reid Street after digging equipment nicked a two-inch gas line while crews were working to replace water mains beneath the road.
Gauthier says the businesses on the east side of the road have been evacuated as a safety precaution.
“Basically the Quesnel Bakery to the Royal Bank have been evacuated. The gas is just in front of Mr Mikes, so you can smell it in every building. As a safety precaution, they have been evacuated and shut down for the day. Safeway is fine,” he notes.
Gauthier says a specialized crew has been called in from Prince George to repair the leak.
“The crew should arrive in the next 15 minutes [by around 3:45 p.m.], and once they are here they can repair the line and take care of the leak,” says Gauthier.
ORIGINAL STORY:
There is a natural gas leak at the 400 block of Reid Street between St. Laurent Avenue and Shepherd Avenue in front of the bowling alley after digging equipment hit a gas line around 1:30 p.m. July 6.
All workers in the buildings in the area have been informed.
The contruction site has been evacuated. The sidewalk has been closed and no one is currently allowed in the area.
This video, sent in to the Observer, shows gas leaking into the air.
A worker from Urban Systems, who asked not to be named, told the Observer a “gas line was hit that wasn’t supposed to be there.” He said they do not currently know where the gas leak is coming from, but intend to deal with it as quickly as possible.
Firefighters and FortisBC, a gas company, are on the scene investigating the leak, and the Urban Systems worker told the Observer Fortis was on the scene quickly, within 10 minutes of the leak being reported.
More to come.
READ MORE: 400 block of Reid Street gets set for construction
Gas leak video by D. Stromquist.
editor@quesnelobserver.com
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