New Westminster Fire & Rescue Services and Fortis BC work to repair broken gas line in New Westminster

New Westminster, BC – At approximately 8:00 am this morning, a work crew excavating a construction site at Merrivale Street and Royal Avenue struck and ruptured a six inch gas line. New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services (NWFRS) responded and contacted Fortis BC to shut down the gas line, which has now been completed.

NWFRS has established a mobile command centre on scene and has closed street access to the area between Sixth Street and McBride Boulevard, and between Royal Avenue and Agnes Street.

NWFRS is asking residents in the immediate vicinity between Queens Avenue and Columbia Street, and First Street and Third Street, to open their windows to allow any airborne gas to dissipate.

NWFRS and Fortis BC will be going door to door in this area throughout the day  to ensure gas systems are operating correctly.

Further updates will be issued as required.

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Contact:               Blair Fryer, Communications Manager

                            City of New Westminster

                             or 604-817-3160