By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Gas leak causes issues in Bower area

Oct 27, 2018 | 1:00 PM

A gas leak caused traffic snafus and the evacuation of several businesses in the Bower area Saturday afternoon.

Red Deer Emergency Services Deputy Chief Bart Rowland says it was around 10:30 a.m. when construction workers struck a 4” gas line on the southeast corner of Gaetz Avenue and Bennett Street.

“There continues to be a strong smell of gas in the area; however, there is no safety risk to the public at this time,” Rowland says. “Road closures were in place while crews worked to investigate the cause of the leak and follow clean-up procedures. Evacuated residents and businesses are being allowed to return to the area as crews deem it safe to do so.”

The gas leak was contained around 1:30 and the power which was turned off south of Bennett Street has been restored. Roads should now be re-opened.

All the businesses in Bower Plaza were closed and evacuated, from Tim Horton’s to Value Village. Businesses on the west side of Gaetz, around Bo’s Bar, were also evacuated. No homes were affected by the evacuations.

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rdnewsNOW received one report of gas being smelled as far away as the Vanier area. The exact cause is still under investigation.

Additionally, RDES and mall staff confirm there was a separate incident inside Bower Place Shopping Centre at about 12:30 p.m., which a separate unit responded to.

The mall was evacuated while crews could tend to the problem, which Rowland says was smoke being caused by a faulty air handling unit. The shopping centre should re-open around 2:30 p.m., according to a store employee inside the mall.

One person tells rdnewsNOW and 106.7 The Drive that he saw smoke near the old Sears location, though emergency crews nor mall staff could confirm the exact spot.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Gas leak causes issues in Bower area

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