Winnipeg, MB – At 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews responded to reports of a gas leak in the 0-100 block of Des Hivernants Boulevard North.
When crews arrived on scene, they found a ruptured gas line that was leaking natural gas into the air. Occupants of a nearby residential building temporarily sheltered in place while firefighters monitored the natural gas levels in the area.
Two people were assessed by paramedics at the scene, but not transported to hospital.
Manitoba Hydro crews responded to repair the natural gas line. They stopped the gas leak at 2:31 p.m.
Natural gas is a colourless, odourless, and highly flammable gas. Manitoba Hydro adds a chemical compound called mercaptan to natural gas to give it a strong, sulphur-like or rotten egg smell. This allows natural gas leaks to be easily detected.
If you smell natural gas, evacuate people and pets out of the area immediately. If you are inside a building, leave the doors open when you leave. Do not smoke, light matches or lighters, operate electrical switches, appliances, phones, or vehicles, or create any other source of ignition or sparks. Once you are in a safe space, call 9-1-1 immediately.