A natural gas line break in Banff has prompted the evacuation of several downtown businesses and resulted in multiple road closures, according to officials.
Incident Details
The gas line was struck around 8:30 a.m. on Friday by an independent contractor performing road work at the intersection of Caribou Street and Lynx Street, ATCO reported. The contractor inadvertently hit the line, causing the break.
Evacuations and Closures
Evacuations were ordered for the Banff Park Lodge, Peaks Hotel, Bow View Lodge, Bluebird restaurant, and businesses on the west side of Bear Street, ranging from the Canada House Gallery to the CMH tour operators. The Town of Banff confirmed that Bear Street and roads leading to Bear Street and Lynx Street were closed out of an abundance of caution.
Residents and visitors are advised to avoid the affected area entirely.
Repair Efforts
ATCO Gas crews are on scene assessing the situation and preparing necessary repairs. Once the gas is safely isolated, repairs are expected to take approximately four to five hours. The town has arranged a temporary gathering point for evacuees at the Catharine Robb Whyte Building, located above the Banff Public Library at 101 Bear Street, where they can wait for updates.
Authorities urge everyone to stay clear of the area until further notice.
