A gas line was accidentally severed during construction in Banff on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an evacuation order for nearby residents.

The Banff Fire Department issued the order around 2:30 p.m. for properties on both sides of Otter Street and Grizzly Street, between Wolf and Caribou streets.

No injuries were reported. Officials said the evacuation was ordered out of an abundance of caution.

Power in the affected area was shut off as a safety measure while emergency and utility crews worked to contain the leak. Firefighters went door to door and used the town’s alert system to notify residents, directing them to leave immediately.

The shutdown of the gas service line has impacted approximately 200 homes.

The area has been closed to the public to allow crews to work safely and ef

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