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Okanagan Landing

UPDATE Fortis comments on gas leak that closed Vernon road

Sep 11, 2020 | 9:59 AM

UPDATE 10 a.m. Sept. 11

The City of Vernon said a natural gas leak in Okanagan Landing was caused by gas line being struck during construction.

FortisBC said the repair took longer than expected.

Nicole Brown, spokesperson for FortisBC, told Vernon Matters they got the call about the leak just after 4:00 p.m. and had the gas under control just before 7:30 p.m.

“It took a little longer because we had to cut the pavement in order to deal with the damage,” said Brown.

She said Fortis crews had everything restored by just after 8:30 p.m.

“We’ve patched the road, and we put in a request to a pavement company to come and complete those repairs. It will probably take a couple of weeks, but at that time, there will likely be more traffic controls, but it sounds like it will probably be dealt with by single alternating [traffic] as opposed to a closure,” Brown added.

Brown said on Thursday night during the incident, there was a detour available through some secondary roads.

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Part of Okanagan Landing Road in Vernon has been temporarily closed, between Bench Road and Longacre Drive, due to a natural gas leak.

“There is no immediate danger to the public and FortisBC is on scene to assess and repair the line. Motorists and the public are asked to stay away from the area for safety purposes<‘ said a news release from Vernon Fire Rescue.

Fire Rescue was called to a report of a potential gas leak in the 7500 block of Okanagan Landing Road around 4:40 p.m. Thursday. FortisBC also attended the scene and confirmed the leak and its location.

Bylaw officers are helping with traffic management at the site.

The road will be reopened when it is safe to do so.

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