Photo: Meg An / Facebook

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.

A spokesperson for FortisBC tells Castanet the road closure in the 9800 block of Hwy 97 is a result of third-party damage to a gas meter in the area.

"Our crews responded earlier today and have been working on the necessary repairs which required one lane in both directions to be closed," says Lauren Beckett, spokesperson for FortisBC.

The northbound lane of Highway 97 has since been re-opened to traffic but it looks like at least one southbound lane will remain closed for the time being.

Lake Country Deputy Fire Chief Glen Gregory tells Castanet that crews demolishing a building ruptured a gas line that wasn't completely shutoff prior to the work beginning.

"As the operator was demolishing the first of the two homes, he had struck a gas line," says Gregory.

Crews are continuing to work on fixing the gas line break and Gregory hopes both southbound lanes of Highway 97 will be opened before the morning commute Wednesday.

ORIGINAL 3:53 p.m.

The District of Lake Country and local fire department along with FortisBC were working on a gas leak in the 9800 block of Highway 97 North in Lake Country.

A social media post from the District of Lake Country indicates residents are being asked to avoid the area around Pollard Rd. and Hwy 97N until approximately 3 p.m.

The work being done near Woody's Pub has traffic down to single-lane traffic north and southbound.

Kelowna RCMP say traffic is flowing and flaggers are now in place directing traffic.

"If motorists can’t avoid the area then they should expect slow going and possible delays," says RCMP spokesperson Ryan Watters.

"Lake Country RCMP initially responded, but have since left as there is no criminality involved and FortisBC along with the LCFD are better equipped to handle this type of matter," Watters said.

Castanet has reached out to the District of Lake Country for more details.