(Via files from HRM release)

A natural gas leak in Dartmouth forced an evacuation Tuesday afternoon before crews brought the situation under control.

The leak was reported around 1:30 p.m. in the area of Pinecrest Drive and Jackson Road. Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency ordered people to leave nearby streets, including Albro Lake Road, Pinecrest Drive, Crystal Drive and Lancaster Drive. Police went door-to-door, while firefighters worked with Eastward Energy crews and tested surrounding buildings for gas.

Nova Scotia Power cut electricity to the neighbourhood as a precaution, which shut down programming at the Zatzman Sportsplex, Gray Arena and Albro Lake Beach. Halifax Transit rerouted buses 72 and 53 and stationed four buses nearby to shelter residents.

By 4:30 p.m., the leak was contained and the evacuation order lifted. Power has since been restored, and residents have returned home. Fire crews remain on scene to monitor air quality.

This is the second major gas leak in HRM this year. On May 30, a leak on Queen Street in Halifax’s South End led to street closures and evacuations before it was contained the same morning.

Municipal officials are encouraging residents to sign up for hfxALERT to receive timely updates during emergencies.