If uptown New West smells a little gassy, it’s because an excavator struck a gas line on Sixth Street.
Crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services responded to an incident on Sixth Street, near Belmont Street, about 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 26.
Dustin Matson, an assistant fire chief with New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, said the fire department and Fortis are attending an incident on Sixth Street.
“It is a fairly significant gas line right in front of 534 Sixth St.,” he said. “They are doing road construction. One of the excavators had burst the line.”
Matson said firefighters are on scene making sure the area is safe and ensuring there are no ignition sources nearby.
“It does smell,” he said. “It is a significant break, so it does smell like gas for sure.”
Following the incident, Sixth Street was closed to traffic and pedestrians between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
When speaking to the Record shortly before 11 a.m., Matson said Westminster Centre was open but businesses on the west side of Sixth Street were temporarily closed for safety reasons. He said Fortis had just arrived at the scene.
“Fortis … is assessing how fast they can shut this line,” he said.
The incident occurred at the site where construction is underway as part of the Sixth Street public realm improvements.
At 11:35 a.m., the New Westminster Police Department issued a news release stating it had closed Sixth Street between Sixth Avenue and Fifth Avenue due to a gas line rupture.
“Crews are on scene, and it is anticipated the road will remain closed for several hours. Police are asking people to avoid the area,” said the NWPD. “Officers thank residents and motorists for their patience. An update will be made once Sixth Street has reopened.”
In an email to the Record, FortisBC said its crews had the gas under control as of 11:15 a.m. It expects to complete the repairs by 2:30 p.m.
Nicole Brown, corporate communications manager for FortisBC, said New Westminster’s fire and police departments had closed one part of Sixth Street, between Belmont Street and Sixth Avenue.
“It is now reopened to single-lane traffic,” she said. “Local businesses that were asked to keep their windows closed can operate as usual.”
According to Brown, there is one gas meter without service, which is affecting two commercial businesses.
“These will be restored as soon as our crews complete the repairs,” she said. “We thank residents in the area for their patience as our crews work to complete the necessary repairs safely and as quickly as possible.”
