‘Significant’ gas leak near Michael Garron Hospital capped, officials say

A gas leak near Toronto’s Michael Garron Hospital which prompted evacuations has been capped, officials say.ospital.

Toronto police said a large gas line was struck on Mortimer Avenue at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Police said the gas smell in the area was strong.

Officers said buildings, residences and people in parks in the area were notified of evacuations.

“Pedestrians in the area use caution and avoid the area,” police wrote in a tweet.

According to police, emergency patients at Michael Garron Hospital were re-directed, but not evacuated.

Schools in the area were temporarily sheltering in place, and a Civic Centre was evacuated.

Officers said Toronto Transit Commission buses were called to the scene for displaced residents.

Toronto Fire Services said crews were dealing with a “significant gas leak.”

“TFS crews taking precautionary measures and taking gas readings in and around (the) building,” the service wrote in a tweet.

Toronto fire said it was waiting for Enbridge to cap the leak.

Officials said no injuries had been reported.

According to Enbridge, the line was damaged during construction activity.

“The leak is stopped and repairs are underway,” the tweet read. “Restoration of service will follow once repairs are complete.”

At around 3 p.m., Michael Garron Hospital said Toronto Fire had completed its investigation and had left the site.

The hospital said Toronto police remained at the site.

All entrances to the hospital have since reopened and the emergency department is now fully operational.

However, the hospital said some non-emergent procedures were postponed.

In an email to Global News, a spokesperson for EllisDon confirmed one of its subcontractors working on the grounds of the hospital struck a gas line causing the leak.

“A full investigation is underway to better understand the exact cause,” the email read.