SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- Saint John police say everything is back to normal after a natural gas leak forced approximately 14 people to evacuate the uptown area this morning.

Workers were digging up septic and water lines in the middle of Richmond Street, near Prince Edward Street, when a gas line got pinched and began leaking.

Police say repair crews from Enbridge Gas arrived and stopped the leak, and all residents of the area have been allowed to return to their homes.

Platoon Chief Kevin Comeau called it fortunate that many businesses in the area were closed for Canada Day.