RCMP and Powell River Fire Rescue shut down Joyce Avenue from Alberni Street to Barnet Street at around noon on Thursday, August 18 as they dealt with a natural gas line breach near the First Credit Union parking lot.
The leak began after a mini excavator hit an improperly mapped feeder gas line while digging at the front of the parking lot. There was a smell of gas in the air and the sound of the gas coming out of the line could be heard in the area.
Fire crews sprayed water on the leak for a while to keep the gas, which is lighter than air, down. Fire chief Dan Oulette said that had the crew hit a main line the problem would be much larger.
The section of Joyce Avenue remained closed for over an hour as the gas company worked on clamping the line and stopping the leak. Excavation resumed later in the afternoon.
