The smell of natural gas wafted through East Trail early Wednesday after a contractor hit a line on Second Avenue.
Regional fire rescue secured the scene, in the proximity of the 1600 block of Columbia Avenue, until FortisBC utility crews arrived. A technician completed the repair by approximately 9 a.m.
“Only one home experienced a temporary loss in service,” FortisBC’s Nicole Bogdanovic confirmed. “So the technician will visit the home, turn the gas back on at the meter and re-light the affected appliance.”
While the third-party damage was inadvertent, it does highlight a problem the company experiences across British Columbia this time of year.
“I’ve been on call the last couple of weeks and we’ve had a number of hits to our line,” Bogdanovic said. “I think, across the province, people are just really trying to get that last bit of work done before the snow falls. So it’s super important to remind people to follow those safe excavation practices, such as click or call, before you dig,” she added.
“And hand-dig close to our line.”
Bogdanovic didn’t have specifics on what happened in East Trail, but she said about 90 per cent of damage to FortisBC gas lines can be prevented by following safe practices.
“Especially if people are eager to get that last bit of work done before winter hits.”
FortisBC advises three easy steps for safe digging.
Those include clicking on the website bconecall.ca or calling BC One Call at 1-800-474-6886 to make an e-ticket locate request a minimum of two business days before the project starts. BC One Call will notify all member companies that have buried utilities in the dig area.
Next, within two to three business days, FortisBC will provide information to safely locate gas lines. Finally, anyone requiring more information about where it’s safe to dig is advised to call FortisBC at 1-888-822-6555 for clarification.
Examples of when to click or call BC One Call include: excavating a job site; building a fence; digging in the garden; installing a sign; or any other ground disturbance.
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Reports of a gas leak on the 1600 block of Columbia Avenue early Wednesday had crews from regional fire rescue on scene shortly after 8 a.m.
FortisBC crews have been called in.
More to come.