UPDATE: Gas leak leads to precautionary evacuations in Vernon

VERNON – Crews made quick work of a gas leak in a residential part of Vernon yesterday afternoon.

The leak occurred on Phoenix Drive in the Foothills area Thursday, June 8, and prompted some precautionary evacuations by Vernon Fire and Rescue Services for homes close to the leak. 

According to Diana Sorace, with Fortis B.C., gas was brought under control around 1:17 p.m. and repairs were safely conducted on the natural gas line.

There was one residential customer who experienced a temporary loss in service, Sorace says. Once the repair was complete at 1:50 p.m. and the impacted portion of the system was reactivated, service was restored to the customer.

"Fortis B.C. would like to remind the public that the majority of damages to our system are preventable — always call or click before you dig to obtain information on the location of buried gas lines and other utilities," Sorace says. 

— This story was updated at 11:26 a.m. June 9, 2017 to say the leak was repaired. 

To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.