A police officer directs traffic in Dartmouth on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 after a natural gas leak prompted the evacuation of as many as 50 buildings in a Halifax.Andrew Vaughan
A natural-gas leak that prompted the evacuation of as many as 50 buildings in a Halifax-area business park has been stopped.
The city's fire department tweeted that the punctured gas line in Burnside in Dartmouth has been pinched at both ends and explosive levels of natural gas are falling.
The city says construction crews working at the intersection of Joseph Zatzman Drive and Akerley Boulevard punctured a pipe on Wednesday.
Early readings taken in the area showed high explosive levels, particularly around storm sewer openings.
Fire and emergency crews as well as natural gas company Heritage Gas were called to the scene.
Nova Scotia Power also shut off electricity to a large section of the park.
City spokesman Brendan Elliott says a company hired by the municipality for a sidewalk project punctured the line while excavating.
He would not disclose the name of the company involved and deferred further questions to the fire department.
Halifax Regional Police are on the scene directing traffic, but Constable Pierre Bourdages said he could not comment further.