4:20 p.m.

According to staff with FortisBC, today’s gas leak along South Main Street in Penticton was caused by “third party damage to the natural gas line.”

In an emailed statement, Jas Baweja, the corporate communications specialist with FortisBC said that the gas was “brought under control at around 1:25 p.m.” and repairs were expected to be finished an hour later.

“This incident serves as an important reminder to always contact BC 1 Call before digging, to obtain information on the location of buried gas lines and other utilities,” said Baweja. “Approximately 90 per cent of damages to our gas lines can be prevented by following safe excavation practices.”

12:30 p.m.

Motorists in Penticton are being asked to avoid the South Main Street intersection at Lee Avenue and Crescent Hill following a gas leak on Friday morning.

According to city staff, although they can’t speak to the specifics of what happened, crews are currently on scene attending to the matter and a detour is being set up around the site on Parkview Street.

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