UPDATED: No injuries reported as NFD deals with gas leak Monday
By Nelson Daily Staff
No injuries were reported at Nelson Fire Department dealt with a gas leak in the 600 Block of Hall Silica Monday afternoon.
Assistant Fire Chief, Michael Daloise said in a media release that two fire engines, one ladder truck and two utility vehicles responded to the call at 1:05 p.m. Monday of a natural gas line break.
Daloise said there were multiple reports from residents in the area that could smell and hear the release.
Both on duty members plus the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief responded immediately with four additional members responding from home.
“Upon arrival of the first crew, a large vapour cloud was observed coming from the area that had been excavated,” Daloise explained.
“The first arriving crew’s primary objective was evacuation of the immediate area. This included the 700 and 800 blocks of Silica Street as well as a portion of the 700 block of Victoria Street.”
Daloise said Nelson Police Department was requested to respond and assist with the evacuation process.
Public works employees also responded to assist with setting barricades for perimeter and traffic control.
“Once evacuation of the affected area was complete crews prepared fire suppression lines for the shutdown of the gas line,” Daloise said.
“Due to the large amount of gas that was escaping there was concern by the Fire Department and Fortis gas that the vapour cloud may find an ignition source and start a fire.”
Daloise said Nelson Hydro crews were requested to attend and isolate the houses that were identified as a higher risk of providing an ignition source.
“This was accomplished with a small area of uphill being de-energized until the leak was stopped,” he said.
Daloise said the leak appears to be the result of a contractor using an excavator and is under investigation by Worksafe BC.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
This is the second gas leak in two months.
In July, a leak on Vernon Street outside Finley’s Pub closed down traffic flows in the city for a few hours.
Nelson Fire Rescue Services would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that BC One Call is a toll free number and the information is free of charge (1-800-474-6886) or online at bconecall.ca .
Nelson Fire Rescue Services would further like to thank the multiple agencies that coordinated together to bring this incident to a successful conclusion.
NPD reports gas leak near 600 Hall Street in Nelson
Nelson Police is asking the public to stay away from lower Uphill region of Nelson due to a gas leak.
NPD Sgt. Paul Bayes said at this time evacuations are not being considered but the Nelson Fire Department requests that people find alternate routes around that area while crews are working.
Bayes said Nelson Fire Department and City Crews are working on repairing a leaking natural gas line in the 600 block of Hall Street.
Bayes said a containment area has been set up between Carbonate and Victoria Streets and Josephine and Cedar Streets.
Crews working on the Stores to Shores project are working in the area.
This is the second gas leak in two months.
In July, a leak on Vernon Street outside Finley’s Pub closed down traffic flows in the city for a few hours.
Story source originated at The Nelson Daily.
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