After the natural gas leak that occurred on 3rd Ave. N.E. in Dauphin earlier this week, Manitoba Hydro would like to remind you of what to do when one occurs.
According to Bruce Owen, media relations officer at Manitoba Hydro, natural gas is odorized with a safe chemical called mercaptan, which gives it a really-rotten-egg smell. If you smell that, you should dial 9-1-1 immediately.
If you smell that pungent smell of rotten eggs that catches your attention, there's likely a natural gas leak... [and] you should be calling 9-1-1 immediately. Natural gas has a tendancy, when there's a leak, to migrate and it wants to take the easiest path, so it can migrate into the sewer system, even through the ground.
Owen also said that natural gas could then migrate into people's homes and that even the slightest ignition, someone lighting a candle or flicking a light switch, for example, could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.
He then stressed that you should vacate the premises immediately after dialling 9-1-1.
In addition to calling 9-1-1, you can also report the leak to Manitoba Hydro by calling 1-888-624-9376.
