Gerrard Street East reopened after gas leak capped, residents allowed to return

A natural gas leak in Toronto's Upper Beaches that prompted the evacuation of a few houses and closed roads in the area has been capped.

No one was injured and the stretch of Gerrard Street East that was closed has been reopened.

Toronto police said people forced out of their homes are being allowed to return.

Enbridge Gas said in a tweet that its crews are working to repair the natural gas pipeline that was cut by construction workers.

Capt. David Eckerman, spokesperson for Toronto Fire Service, said workers digging on Gerrard Street East between Wayland and Malvern Avenues, east of Main Street, had accidentally cut the line.

It was considered significant because it was a four inch feeder line on city property.

Toronto Fire received a call about the leak at 9:12 a.m. and notified Enbridge Gas. Crews from the utility arrived on the scene at 9:51 a.m. The gas itself was shut off at 11:20 a.m. Eckerman said fire crews are now gone from the scene.

Hoses were filled with water in case of spark

Toronto firefighters had hoses filled with water ready in case a spark ignites the gas, he said.

Eckerman said firefighters would have been able to deal with any flames immediately if the gas had ignited.

At least three houses on Malvern Avenue south of Gerrard Street East were evacuated.

Two firetrucks and eight firefighters responded to the call.

Gerrard Street East, which was closed from Osborne to Hannaford Avenue, is now open.

Enbridge Gas blamed a third party for damage to the pipeline.