Powell River Fire Rescue and FortisBC repaired a gas service line at a residence on Joyce Avenue between Massett and Lytton streets.
According to Powell River Fire Rescue deputy chief Rocky Swanson, there was a gas rupture at the residence due to digging. Swanson said fire crews evacuated nearby homes and those deemed vulnerable.
Swanson said unfortunately, the effort was hampered by a shortage of FortisBC crews in the qathet region
"They are super short-manned and therefore they really require our assistance on these calls," said Swanson. "That's one of the problems we're having these days with gas leak calls. That company has decided to not properly staff their crews here. One of FortisBC's responses is they will send crews from Vancouver Island."
Damage was caused by an external party, FortisBC stated in an email to the Peak.
"We have a technician who works in Powell River full time to respond to gas emergencies," stated FortisBC. "We first learned of the gas line damage on Joyce Avenue around 2:40 pm yesterday afternoon, and our technician arrived on site around 3 pm and had gas under control by 3:30 pm."
Traffic was then able to travel along Joyce Avenue.
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