Homes evacuated after gas leak in East Vancouver

Crews responded to a gas leak on East 37th Avenue in Vancouver on Monday, Jan. 27. (CTV News)

Some residents had to leave their East Vancouver homes Monday morning after construction crews reported a gas leak, according to firefighters.

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services told CTV News the call came in at 8:24 a.m. and they attended the scene to help evacuate homes near the leak in the 400 block of East 37th Avenue.

There were no reports of fire or flames, and no injuries, Capt. Matthew Trudeau said.

He added the cause of the leak isn’t confirmed, “but it did occur while construction crews were on scene digging.”

“This is a small incident which happens with construction and isn’t uncommon,” he added.

FortisBC confirmed its crews responded to the damaged gas line “caused by an external party,” and the gas was brought under control around 9:30 a.m.

One customer was left without gas service as of 10 a.m. while Fortis completed repairs.

“We thank residents in the area for their patience as our crews work to complete the necessary repairs safely and as quickly as possible,” the utility wrote in an email.

The company reminded the public to call 911 or the Fortis emergency line if they smell rotten eggs or hear escaping gas.