UPDATE: 11:10 a.m.

Fortis BC arrived on scene to shut off the gas to the broken line and to initiate repairs. 

As the scene is now safe, the evacuation order was lifted.

UPDATE 10:16 a.m.

Castanet Vernon news director John K. White said the smell of gas in the area is “overpowering."

“You can hear gas gushing from the broken line.”

ORIGINAL STORY

Surplus Herby's at the corner of 34th Street and 31st Avenue has been evacuated after a motorist hit a gas line behind the downtown store.

Emergency crews were called to the scene just before 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The sidewalk is also being closed to pedestrian traffic while crews deal with the matter.

Castanet Vernon news editor John K. White is at the scene and we will have more details as soon as they become available.

Photo: John K. White

Surplus Herby's at the corner of 34th Street and 31st Avenue has been evacuated after a motorist hit a gas line behind the downtown store.