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Residents evacuated after excavator damages gas line Tuesday in Uphill

Nelson Daily Staff
By Nelson Daily Staff
August 29th, 2018

Some residents were evacuated in the Uphill district of Nelson Tuesday afternoon following a gas leak said Nelson Fire Rescue in a media release.

At 1:23 p.m. Tuesday Nelson Fire & Rescue Services responded to a report of gas line being damaged by an excavator in Uphill.

Nelson Fire Rescue said all on duty members responded immediately followed by three additional members responding to the station from home to find that a gas line to a residence had been pulled and gas was escaping from the hole.  

Nelson Fire Resue said the first arriving crew’s primary objective was to ensure the gas was not entering any of the surrounding houses.

“After Fortis arrived it was recommended that some of the houses in the immediate area should be evacuated and the hydro power disconnected by Nelson Hydro crews to eliminate potential ignition sources,” Nelson Fire Rescue said.

“With the assistance of Nelson Police Department members a door-to-door evacuation was conducted.  Nelson Public Works department were also on scene to provide assistance.”

Nelson Fire Rescue said Nelson Hydro has re-energized the area and Fortis Gas is continuing to repair the damage to their line.  Fortis anticipated that the gas line should be repaired by Tuesday evening.

Nelson Fire Rescue said in all, seven firefighters responded to the incident with two fire engines, and two utility vehicles.  No injuries were reported as a result of this incident. 

Nelson Fire & Rescue Services would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to make sure that they call BC One Call before you dig, and to make sure that if you smell natural gas to call 911.

Categories: General

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