Dozens of people evacuated for several hours due to gas leak

A number of people had to be evacuated Thursday, October 17, after a gas leak was reported in the area of Windermere Blvd. and Ambleside Dr. that afternoon.

Emergency crews were in southwest Edmonton Thursday, after a gas leak at a worksite left a number of nearby residents evacuated.

Edmonton Fire Rescue officials said the gas leak occurred just after 2:30, at a building under construction in the area of Windermere Boulevard and Ambleside Drive.

Officials said between 40 and 50 people, including residents of a nearby four-plex and other area homes were evacuated due to the leak – and an Edmonton Transit Service bus was dispatched to provide shelter for the evacuees.

Just after 4:15, officials said it would be about two hours before the gas line was capped.

In addition to the evacuation, EPCOR said power had to be cut to the area due to the gas leak, officials told CTV News about 4,000 customers were initally affected, by the time the leak was capped, it was 2,500 - just before 6 p.m., it was not clear as to when power would fully return.

However, just before 5:45, Edmonton Fire Rescue said the gas leak had been capped, and evacuated residents were allowed back home.