Gas leak in Calgary forces evacuations

A major natural-gas leak in northeast Calgary forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from nearby homes and businesses Saturday morning.

At about 9 a.m., the fire department responded to reports of a gas leak at the intersection of 68 Street and 16 Avenue N.E.

Officials said it was reported that a bulldozer hit a 30-centimetre gas line, causing a large amount of gas to escape.

"We had a significant amount of gas coming out, so our first priority is to ensure that the citizens and nearby residents are taken care of," said Jeff Budai with the Calgary Fire department.

About 100 homes and 30 businesses at a nearby strip mall were ordered evacuated.

Officials had stopped the leak by Saturday afternoon.

Firefighters and gas workers then checked every evacuated home and business.

"What we're doing is checking the air-quality levels inside the structures," Budai said.

"We're also looking at any kind of appliance that's gas set as well, just to make sure everything is working appropriately and that we're not putting people into an unsafe atmosphere."

A large area of the city remained closed to traffic Saturday evening, from 12 Avenue to 22 Avenue and from 52 Street to 84 Street.