RCMP Ask For Public's Help On 3rd Blast Investigation

By Submitted Article

Crews work on containing minor leak at the site of latest blast, photo courtesy  of Kitfast Peace photoGraphics

Dawson Creek, British Columbia - Investigators from the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team are renewing calls for public assistance after the latest attack targeting natural gas infrastructure.

“Because of the nature of these violent attacks we are once again asking for the public’s help in providing any information that may help investigators,” says Sgt. Tim Shields, RCMP E Division Media Relations Officer.

Investigators continue to follow numerous leads but believe that the person or persons responsible has extensive local knowledge and may be from the area.

“When looking at when and where the attacks occurred it is safe to say that the person or persons responsible knows how to locate the sites and has knowledge of the sites. For a person to have this information they would likely have to be from the immediate area or have spent significant time in the area,” explains Sgt. Shields.

The last explosion occurred northwest of Toms Lake at approximately midnight on Thursday. Police were called to the scene over 12 hours later after workers heard the sound of leaking gas from a wellhead. It is the third incident within a one month period that has seen the explosions come closer to populated areas.

Sergeant Shields says although several people in the area  say they heard a "boom" no one thought to call police and that  menas investigators lost an opportunity to  catch the  culprit.“For investigators, and from a public safety stand point, it’s important for police to receive the information as soon as possible to contain the scene and potentially catch whom ever is responsible for these acts,” explains Sgt. Shields. “We understand that a number of people heard the blast when it occurred but did not call police with the information. This often occurs when people think that somebody else will inform the authorities. We of course would rather have duplicate calls to ensure that we are aware of any potential situation.”

EnCana Operations Engineers are continuing to work throughout the day to cap the gas leak. The escaping gas contains trace elements of Hydrogen Sulphide and poses no risk to the public.

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