FortisBC has reported a naturally occurring gas pocket that was discovered while conducting geotechnical investigations along the Spit Road in Squamish.

The company said the brief release of gas lasted several minutes, stopping on its own.

Readings taken at the site on Friday evening detected the presence of a number of naturally occurring gases, including very low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide underground, but none in the air around the site.

Out of caution, FortisBC asked the District of Squamish to restrict public access to the south end of the Spit Road while crews draw up a safe operating procedure to close the investigation site.

The company is currently waiting for equipment to arrive and hope to begin work tomorrow that will take between 2 to 5 days to complete.

Filed under: District of Squamish, FortisBC, Pipeline, Squamish