Another gas leak prompts evacuations in Greater Victoria
An elementary school and nearby homes were evacuated in Saanich, B.C., on Wednesday afternoon following reports of a gas leak.
Around 2 p.m., the Saanich Fire Department received a report of a gas line struck in the 3400-block of Quadra Street.
The District of Saanich says municipal crews were performing routine work in the area when they damaged an "unmarked gas line."
"A small fire in a nearby residence also occurred and has since been extinguished," said the district in a release Wednesday afternoon.
Students at Cloverdale Elementary school were evacuated due to the gas leak, and residents in nearby apartment buildings were also evacuated.
"No injuries have been reported and Saanich Fire is working to ensure evacuees are supported and the area is safe," said the municipality.
Drivers were asked to avoid the area, with Quadra Street closed to vehicles between Holmes Street and the Cook Street/Cloverdale Avenue intersection on Wednesday afternoon.
Evacuees told CTV News they were offered free food and coffee at the Cedar Hill Golf Course while crews assessed the scene.
The evacuation order was lifted just after 5:30 p.m., according to the District of Saanich.
The municipality said FortisBC would follow up with residents of affected homes.
Firefighters were notified of the gas leak around 2 p.m. Wednesday. (CTV News)While repairs were underway, electricity was also cut in the area, temporarily impacting around 1,800 BC Hydro customers.
Wednesday's incident comes two days after another gas leak forced residents to evacuate their homes near the Fernwood neighbourhood of Victoria.
In that incident, plumbers accidently struck an underground gas main, according to FortisBC.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.