Hundreds of FortisBC customers in North Vancouver were impacted and homes were evacuated after a gas line was damaged on Tuesday evening.
According to FortisBC, the incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. in the area of West 1st Street and Chesterfield Avenue. The gas line was damaged by a third-party contractor who was working in the area.
As a result, FortisBC crews were immediately dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and begin repairs. The damaged gas line was successfully shut off and repairs were completed by 9:30 p.m.
In order to ensure the safety of the affected area, FortisBC worked closely with the North Vancouver Fire Department to evacuate nearby homes and businesses. The evacuation was lifted once the gas line was repaired and deemed safe.
FortisBC also provided support to the impacted customers by setting up a customer care centre at the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission. Customers were able to receive updates and assistance with any concerns they may have had.
The incident caused traffic disruptions in the area, with West 1st Street being closed between Chesterfield Avenue and Lonsdale Avenue. However, the road was reopened once the repairs were completed.
FortisBC has reminded the public to always call 811 before digging to avoid damaging any underground utilities. They also urged contractors to follow proper safety protocols when working near gas lines.
No injuries were reported in the incident and FortisBC has assured that there is no further risk to the public. They have also apologized for any inconvenience caused by the gas line damage and thanked the community for their cooperation during the repairs.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety when working near gas lines and the potential consequences of not following proper protocols. FortisBC will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
