News Release

Gas leak in south end Halifax contained

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 (Halifax, NS) – The gas leak in south end Halifax today has been contained and power restored in the affected areas. The area bordered by Tower Road to Queen Street and Victoria Road to Morris Street remains closed to motorists and pedestrians at this time. Halifax Regional Police officers are on scene and re-directing traffic.

Earlier today, natural gas contractors hired by Heritage Gas punctured a two-inch pipe while doing installation work along South Park Street. While this situation proved to be a very serious incident, all the partners worked together to ensure there were no injuries. Heritage Gas quickly identified the source of the leak and capped the pipe without incident.

Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Chief Doug Trussler acknowledged the efforts of all involved. “This was a well-run incident with great communication between the partners that resulted in a successful outcome,” Trussler said. “There is no danger to public health or safety.”

Some of the natural gas made its way into the Halifax sewer system but once the leak was contained the gas dissipated. Tests indicate there is no way any of the gas would have made it into the Halifax Harbour.

More than 300 people were evacuated from their homes along South Park and Fenwick streets as a precaution as first-responders attended to the gas leak at 9:35 a.m. No daycares, hospitals or seniors residences were evacuated. Within the next few hours residents will be allowed to return to their homes with the assistance of police and fire officials.

Metro Transit is providing air-conditioned comfort buses for residents that were evacuated at the following locations: South Park Street and Victoria Road, Queen Street and South Street at McKeen Manor, Tower Road at Victoria Road, and on Barrington Street at the Superstore. The following Metro Transit routes are also being detoured as a result of the above noted street closures: routes 10,14,17, and 18 are being detoured via South Park Street, Morris Street, Barrington Street, Inglis Street and vice versa. Route 7 is detoured via Barrington Street, Morris Street, University Street, Robie Street, and vice versa.

We thank the public for their co-operation and patience as HRM deals with this matter. Check this webpage frequently for the most up-to-date information on this situation: www.halifax.ca/emo/alert.html.

On-scene Media contact:

Brendan Elliott
HRM Communications
220-0414