A significant natural gas leak in Winnipeg's St. James neighbourhood prompted the evacuation of Polo Park mall and shut down traffic to much of the area between Portage Avenue and St. Matthews Avenue near Empress Street.
The leak began around 5 p.m. and soon after, businesses, including strip malls and restaurants, between Milt Stegall Drive to Strathcona Street and Ellice Avenue to Maroons Road were evacuated as a precaution. Later the evacuation order expanded to include Polo Park.
The smell of natural gas in the area was overpowering.
Chris Tanman arrived at Polo Park at around 6:30 p.m. Inside, he said he heard an alarm sound and a voice over the intercom instructing people to leave.
"It had a heavy smell as soon as I entered the area. As soon as I got near the mall I was smelling [the gas]," he said.
Police and fire crews remain on scene, directing traffic and assisting with evacuations from more businesses in the area.
Areas evacuated as of 8 p.m.:
- Polo Park mall.
- west to include St. James Street.
- south to include Maroons Road.
- north to include Ellice Avenue.
- east to include Empress Street.
A duty officer with Winnipeg police said Thursday night crews believe they located the source of the leak but have yet to stop it. He said emergency workers remain hopeful they are "moving in the right direction."
No one has been taken to hospital with any injuries or health effects related to the leak, police said. At least one ambulance is on scene as a precaution.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mboutage?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mboutage</a> We have cut power to additional homes and businesses in vicinity of natural gas leak at Empress & St. Matthews. Our crews are working to restore service as soon as possible. <a href="https://t.co/dEPiYH5EIO">pic.twitter.com/dEPiYH5EIO</a>
—@manitobahydro<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mboutage?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mboutage</a> Empress StMatthews update: additional outage required as crews work to resolve situation safely. No ETR currently. Thank you for your continued patience. <a href="https://t.co/8NfXb7v6PN">pic.twitter.com/8NfXb7v6PN</a>
—@manitobahydroManitoba Hydro has cut power to a nearby substation as a result, affecting thousands of customers. While more than 3,700 homes and businesses were blacked out at the outage's peak, by 9:30 p.m. that number had dropped to 1,759.
Hydro crews cut a hole in the pavement at Empress and St. Matthews to allow gas to vent.
Police are asking both motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area, and take alternate routes. There may be delays.
- For bus route changes: winnipegtransit.com or contact 311.
- For traffic information: the city shares information with the Waze app.
