Butane leak forces evacuation in east Saint John on Monday

A section of Bayside Drive in east Saint John was shut down and businesses were been evacuated after a butane line ruptured on Monday morning.

The evacuation area was expanded shortly before 6 p.m., to include all homes on River Avenue.

Due to a projected shift in wind direction the evacuation area was expanded at approximately 7:45 to include all residents on First Street East, Second Street East and 66-72 Spruce Avenue.

So far, 30 homes have been evacuated.

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According to the Saint John Police, the rupture happened at around 11 a.m. in a line that runs from the Canaport terminal to the Irving Oil Refinery.

Bayside Drive was closed to traffic between the intersection of the causeway and Redhead Road.

Extra officers are being assigned to the location and the public is asked to stay away from the area.

On Twitter, Irving Oil apologized for what it called “an isolated operational issue” and said it was working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

“We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our neighbours in the area and are working with local response organizations to offer our assistance,” wrote Sam Robinson, a spokesperson for Irving Oil.

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Saint John Emergency Management Organization (EMO) says emergency crews remain on scene as of this afternoon, and that no injuries have been reported.

The organization has worked with the Canadian Red Cross to set up a warming centre for evacuated residents at the Boys & Girls Club at 1 Paul Harris St.

EMO is asking the public to avoid the surrounding areas if possible.

With files from The Canadian Press

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