Posted:
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the previously announced natural gas leak in Dartmouth today has been contained. The evacuation order has been lifted and residents can return to their homes and businesses.
Evacuation Order – lifted
At approximately 1:30 p.m., Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) and Halifax Regional Police (HRP) were called to the scene of a reported gas leak in the vicinity of Pinecrest Drive and Jackson Road in Dartmouth.
Given the situation, HRFE ordered an evacuation order that included:
- Albro Lake Road
- Pinecrest Drive
- Crystal Drive
- Lancaster Drive
HRP officers were deployed throughout the area to advise residents of the evacuation order, while HRFE firefighters monitored Eastward Energy staff working to stop the gas leak, assisted residents and tested nearby buildings for gas.
HRFE confirmed that the gas leak was contained and the evacuation order was lifted shortly afterward at 4:30 p.m.
HRFE will remain on scene to monitor air quality and ensure there are no concerns related to today's incident. Firefighters will not leave the area until it is safe for residents.
Impacts to residents
Residents outside the evacuation area were also affected, as Nova Scotia Power cut electricity to the surrounding area as a precaution.
As a result, programming at the Zatzman Sportsplex and the Gray Arena were cancelled due to the power outage. As well, Albro Lake Beach was also closed since it was in the evacuation area.
Power has been restored to the area.
Additionally, four Halifax Transit buses were deployed to the area to provide temporary shelter for evacuated residents and routes 72 and 53 were detoured to avoid the evacuation area.
Stay Informed
Residents are encouraged to register for hfxALERT, the municipality’s mass notification system to receive urgent and non-urgent public alerts by phone, email or text.
Information is also shared on halifax.ca/news and via Bluesky at @hfxgov.bsky.social, Facebook at @hfxgov and Instagram at @hfxmoments.