A natural gas leak in east Saint John on May 27, 2020, forced the closure of several streets, including part of Champlain Drive. (Photo: Brad Perry)
Around 30 people have been allowed to return home after a natural gas leak Wednesday in east Saint John.
Emergency crews were called to Ian Street in the Champlain Heights neighbourhood around 12:30 p.m.
Barry Oickle, a platoon chief with the Saint John Fire Department, said a construction crew had severed a half-inch gas line.
“There was a check valve on the other end of the line from the high pressure into this low half-inch line and it activated, so that actually stopped the natural gas coming from the higher side. Once that was done, the natural gas in the line dissipated,” said Oickle.
As a precaution, both sides of Ian Street were evacuated from Champlain Drive to Sherwood Drive until the all-clear was given by Liberty Utilities, he said.
Oickle said the evacuated residents were allowed to return home about an hour after the initial call.
“Once we did our recognizance and Liberty [Utilities] verified that the check valve actually did work properly, they were comfortable with having everybody return to their residences,” he said.
The scene was turned over to the gas company to repair the leak, said Oickle. No one was hurt.
Champlain Drive was closed between Grandview Avenue and Swanton Street but has since re-opened.
Champlain Drive has reopened to traffic but Ian Street remains closed for the time being. About 30 residents were evacuated but have since been allowed to return home. pic.twitter.com/CBNuGovRMo
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) May 27, 2020
Follow
