A gas leak early today in the hamlet of Plamondon forced the temporary evacuation of two schools and a number of homes. officials say the leak was caused by a contractor doing work on a building along Highway 858 in the community. Lac La Biche Enforcement Services Sergeant Chris Clark says the evacuation process began just after 8 am after the leak was reported.
“Due to the size of the line and the volume of gas precautionary measures were done, including evacuation of residents immediately adjacent to that area as well as two neighbouring schools.”
The county Facebook page updated residents on the situation, including where the children from both Ecole Beausejour and Ecole Plamondon had been evacuated to.
Officials are saying it was about an hour before gas company experts had the leak fixed. Clark says the scene was checked by emergency services crews as well.
“Our firefighters checked for gas readings, there was no gas readings detected in the area or inside any of the buildings. Residents and students were then allowed to return to their homes and back to school to continue their day.”
An updated posted on the county Facebook feed says students returned to school at around 10 am.