Natural gas leak in Halifax has been contained

A natural gas leak in downtown Halifax has been contained and repairs are under way, according to Heritage Gas. 

The utility says the gas leak started around 11 a.m. Friday on Hollis Street near South Street. A crew dug into the street to find the leak and pinch it off.

Five blocks in downtown Halifax had been evacuated, affecting between 80 and 100 people. 

Heritage Gas says it will remain on site to monitor gas in the area until it is safe for people to return to their homes and businesses. 

The company says people may notice a harmless odour in the air. Heritage Gas adds mercaptan, also known as methanethiol, to natural gas to make it easier to detect. It is harmless. 

The cause of the leak is not yet known.