Quesnel, BC – A major gas leak is forcing the evacuation of Quesnel’s entire downtown core and the closure of Highway 97 through the city.

Quesnel Corporal Ray Kinloch says a major gas line was dug up in the Safeway parking lot on Reid Street, forcing the evacuation.  Corporal Kinloch says, "No fire yet, no casualties, but the potential for an explosion is extreme." 

"People are to stay away from downtown Quesnel, there is a very strong gas odour in the entire downtown core," says Kinloch.

Fortis BC has been notified and is en route to deal with the situation and is says the entire fire department has been called out as well.

DriveBC is advising that Highway 97 has been closed from 7.6-kilometres south of Quesnel to 1.1-kilometres north of the city.

It was 16-years ago that a deadly gas pipeline explosion rocked Quesnel’s downtown.  Shifting soil severed a gas pipeline in 1997, killing five people, injuring another 20 and destroying two businesses.