Emergency crews block off Hill Heights Road in north end Saint John after a natural gas line was damaged on June 20, 2019. (Brad Perry/Wave News)
Dozens of homes had to be evacuated after a natural gas leak in north end Saint John.
Emergency crews were called to Hill Heights Road, off Millidge Avenue, around 4 p.m. Thursday.
Brian Wilson, platoon chief with the Saint John Fire Department, said a large excavator damaged a two-inch gas main, creating a large leak.
“Enbridge [Gas] was brought in and pinched the line off,” said Wilson. “It was easily accessible because they’d been digging the street up all along here replacing the curbs.”
Wilson estimated more than 100 people were evacuated from the area as a precaution.
Another Enbridge Gas New Brunswick vehicle just arrived on scene. pic.twitter.com/Qd1Hwj6cP2
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) June 20, 2019
Crews check each of the nearby homes for gas readings before allowing residents to go back, he said.
“We use our own instrumentation then back that up with readings from Enbridge, as well,” Wilson said. “On a couple of fronts, we’ve checked to make sure that we’re clear.”
Residents were allowed to return home by around 5 p.m. Thursday.
Millidge Avenue was closed between Reed Street and Daniel Avenue for about an hour.
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