B.C.

Emergency officials in Coquitlam have been forced to evacuate several residences and businesses following a gas leak.

Staff Sgt. Mark McCutcheon of the Coquitlam RCMP says the leak occurred Tuesday afternoon after an excavator hit a gas line.

He says the leak has impacted several city blocks, and emergency officials have been forced to close one major road.

McCutcheon says police are helping fire officials with traffic control, and the road will likely be closed for several hours.

Translink spokesman Drew Snider says busses have been rerouted around the area, and the transit service has cancelled 16 stops on the effected road.