A possible gas leak has shut down Cambie at 8th Street during the busy Tuesday morning commute.
Our crews are onsite investigating a gas odour at 8th/Cambie in #Vancouver. Updates to come.
— FortisBC (@FortisBC) October 28, 2014
#Vancouver police say possible gas leak has shut down part of Cambie St. near 8th Ave. Best to avoid route for now. pic.twitter.com/0Yi7YcTHP4
— CTV Vancouver (@CTVVancouver) October 28, 2014
Gas leak W. 7th & Yukon, residents evacuated, FF’s ventilating, #VPD managing traffic, Foris on scene please stay clear of area.
— Vancouver Fire (@VanFireRescue) October 28, 2014
Full Hazmat response required to gas leak at W. 7th & Yukon.
— Vancouver Fire (@VanFireRescue) October 28, 2014
To accommodate the response and investigation, there are a number of closures and detours in place in the area.
Expanded traffic closures – Cambie St closed both directions between Broadway and the bridge. S/B bridge traffic diverted onto 6th Ave.
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 28, 2014
W 8th Ave is closed between Cambie St and Yukon St., and traffic in area is being diverted. Pls find another route.
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 28, 2014
9:17 #VANCOUVER Police have now blocked Cambie St in both directions near 8th Ave due to a gas leak. Avoid the area.
— News1130 Traffic (@news1130traffic) October 28, 2014
TransLink also notes bus service has been affected:
#RiderAlert 017/015 service 9am onward. Gas leak by Broadway & Cambie, buses are not stopping at any stops from Broadway to Cambie Bridge^LA
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) October 28, 2014
#RiderAlert 17 Oak detouring due to gas leak on Cambie. Via Pender, Richards, Pacific, Granville, Cloverleaf, 4, Hemlock, Broadway, Oak. ^RR
— TransLink BC (@TransLink) October 28, 2014
UPDATE 10:25 AM. There is some concern that the odour could be indicative of a drug lab.
HazMat crews inside building at 8th and Cambie. @VanFireRescue worried smell could indicate meth lab or other chemical situation. #cbc
— Jesara Sinclair (@JesaraSinclair) October 28, 2014
UPDATE 11:55 AM. Vancouver Fire has not determined the source of the gas smell, but they are not ruling out the possibility it stems from a meth lab.
Hazmat not natural gas according to Fortis, smell checked in businesses at 8 and Cambie – 3rd floor seems strongest smell @News1130radio
— Bruce Claggett (@BruceClaggett) October 28, 2014
At about 11:30 a.m. the streets in the area were re-opened.
Cambie Street and 8th Ave have been re-opened to all traffic. Pls direct all inquiries re: incident to @VanFireRescue
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 28, 2014
Featured image: Caution tape via Shutterstock