On Feb. 1, 2017, a Pacific Northern Gas (PNG) gas leak occured on Eighth Avenue between Centre Street and Alice Turner Street in Burns Lake.
Traffic was rerouted through other streets as the crew on site searched for the source.
According to Craig Sears, general manager of PNG, this was a “minor leak.”
“However, even a minor leak we address as soon as possible,” he said. “We had guys there within minutes.”
“At this particular location there was significant amount of frost, so there was a connection in the pipeline that the frost affected,” he explained.
According to the Village of Burns Lake, this leak didn’t require evacuations. The pipeline connection was completed isolated and repaired around 8 p.m. that same day.
Sears said this was a “rare occurrence.”
“We do a complete leak survey on our distribution systems to look for such things and it’s a rare thing to have this happen,” he said. “Safety is very much a priority for PNG.”
Pacific Northern Gas provides gas service to approximately 39,900 residential, commercial and industrial customers. The company utilizes a 24-hour computer control system to aid in the safe operation of its pipelines.
If residents smell gas in their residence, they should immediately call the PNG emergency line at 1-800-663-1173 and follow their instructions.
