Editor’s note: This article has been updated since it was originally published on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 16:50. See the bottom of the article for the latest updated information.

On the afternoon of Thursday, October 24, 2024, those in the area of ​​County Road 2 and West/Durhman Streets in Odessa had their day cut short after a natural gas leak was identified at that intersection.

In response to Kingstonist’s inquiries about the incident, Trevor Cornelius, Corporate Communications Manager for Loyalist Township, said that as a safety precaution, residents within 100 meters of the Pop In Store (55 Main St, Odessa, ON K0H 2H0) are being asked to evacuate the area.

“Everyone else is asked to avoid the area. Please note that this part of national highway 2 has been closed to traffic. Emergency services are currently on scene assisting residents and notifying them of the evacuation request,” Cornelius said in an email.

“Council chambers are open to the public as a safeguard for residents until the situation is resolved. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”

The gas leak is believed to have occurred due to excavation in the area of ​​CR 2 and Durham/West Streets. At the time of publication, it is unclear what type of work was being carried out at the time of the leak. Enbridge Gas is reportedly on site at 3:40 p.m

Follow Loyalist Township on social media for important updates on this matter: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter).

Update (Friday, October 25, 2024, at 10:40 a.m.):

According to Loyalist Township staff, the gas leak, which occurred near the intersection of County Road 2/Main Street and Durham/West Streets in Odessa, was “isolated” by Enbridge Gas at 8:45 p.m. Thursday, October 25, 2024, approximately five and a half hours after the leak began.

The gas leak, which emergency crews were called to shortly after 3 p.m., resulted in the evacuation of residents within a 100-meter radius of the Pop In Food Store, located just west of the intersection described above. Those residents were able to return to their homes around 8:45 p.m., when the roads were just beginning to reopen, according to Trevor Cornelius, Corporate Communications Manager for Loyalist Township.

“Loyalist Utilities continues to work to restore water service to all affected customers,” Cornelius said in an email to the Kingstonist just before 9 p.m. Thursday.

“We thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this situation.”

The following morning, Loyalist Fire and Rescue Chief Kent Readman reiterated that the gas leak had been contained and noted that all roads have been reopened.

Although several residents have reported that the gas leak was caused by a gas line being hit during some sort of excavation, it remains unclear what the nature of the excavation was and whether it occurred on private property, municipal property or a construction site. . It also remains unclear if the gas leak has actually been fixed, or if it merely remains “isolated,” as reported by Loyalist Township officials.

The Kingstonist has contacted Enbridge Gas for additional information and is awaiting further response from the Township.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Update (Friday, October 25, 2024, 4:46 p.m.):

In response to Kingstonist inquiries, Enbridge Gas confirmed that the gas leak in Odessa on Thursday, October 24, 2024 was caused by excavation activity that hit a gas line.

The work performed was a Loyalist Township contract, the natural gas company said.

“The third-party contractor was working on behalf of the municipality, on municipal property,” said Kendra Black, director of external communications and media relations with Enbridge Gas.

– Repairs to the damage were completed last night. There was one customer whose natural gas service was affected and their service was restored this morning.”

Inquiries to Loyalist Township and Loyalist Fire and Rescue from earlier in the day remain unanswered at the time of publication.

With files from Tori Stafford.