A natural gas leak just off Inglewood Drive was described as a "potential explosion hazard," explaining why three businesses were evacuated. According to a city news release, a contractor ruptured a gas line near St.
A natural gas leak just off Inglewood Drive was described as a "potential explosion hazard," explaining why three businesses were evacuated.
According to a city news release, a contractor ruptured a gas line near St. Albert Trail and Lennox Drive, prompting the evacuation of three nearby businesses.
The actual location of the strike is closer to Inglewood Drive than Lennox.
The incident occurred at 9:15 a.m. As a precaution, Riverside Honda, the St. Albert Bowling Centre and RONA have been evacuated.
"There was risk," said Capt. Steve Ganton of the St. Albert fire department. "The gas was downwind, there was a potential explosion hazard."
The rupture occurred when a contractor doing an excavation ruptured a gas line.
"There is a noticeable smell of natural gas; however, there is no present danger to the public and the situation is under control," the city's news release states.
Ganton said it would take some time to repair the leak as it is a major gas line. Because it delivers gas in a continuous loop, there are no shut-off valves.
Atco crews were on scene, using backhoes to dig holes on either side of the line break. The crews, according the Ganton, will stop the flow of gas at either end of the leak before repairing the ruptured section. The city said the leak will be shut off by 1:15, but that Riverside Honda, St. Albert Bowling Centre and Rona will be closed for the remainder of the day.
Inglewood Drive is closed to traffic between Boudreau Road and Lennox Drive.
Nearby businesses that were not evacuated were still able to use their heat but were warned about possibly having to evacuate.
"They've got us kind of on standby," said Eric Larson of Speedy Glass. "Someone's come by every 15 to 20 minutes to check on us."
Across Inglewood Drive at Dulux Paints, Lian O'Donovan said the staff was told they were fine to stay open unless they started smelling gas.
The address cited by the city as the location of the strike is where GoodLife Fitness, a gym expected to open next year, is being built.
