【Municipal Emergency】 Suspected Natural Gas Leak

Applicable Situation:
You notice a strong smell similar to rotten eggs or rotten garlic inside your home. This odor is caused by mercaptan, a safety additive intentionally mixed with natural gas to make leaks easier to detect.

Immediate Steps

1. Do Not Operate Any Electrical Devices

Do not:

  • Turn lights on or off
  • Plug in or unplug electrical devices
  • Operate appliances
  • Use your mobile phone while inside the building

Even a tiny electrical spark could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

2. Extinguish All Open Flames

Immediately put out any:

  • Cigarettes
  • Candles
  • Other open flames

3. Evacuate Immediately

If it is safe to do so, open the front door and windows to help ventilate the area.

Leave the building immediately and move to a safe outdoor location.

4. Who to Contact

Once you are safely outside, call:

  • FortisBC 24-Hour Gas Emergency Line: 1-888-224-2110

or

  • 911 (Fire Department)

Emergency gas leak response is free of charge. FortisBC will dispatch a qualified technician immediately to inspect the situation.

Why is it strictly forbidden to flip light switches, use appliances, or make a phone call inside the house during a suspected gas leak?

Natural gas is highly combustible. When it leaks into an enclosed space, even a microscopic electrical spark can ignite the gas and trigger a catastrophic explosion. Flipping a light switch (either on or off), plugging in a device, or using a mobile phone all generate tiny, localized electrical arcs that can act as an ignition source. You must leave all electrical devices exactly as they are and wait until you are in a safe outdoor location before using your phone to call for help.

Who should I contact for a suspected gas leak in Greater Vancouver, and will I be charged for an emergency inspection?

Once you are safely outside the building, immediately call the FortisBC 24-Hour Gas Emergency Line
at 1-888-224-2110 or dial 911 for the fire department. Emergency gas leak dispatch and safety inspections are completely free of charge. FortisBC will send a certified technician immediately to investigate the situation and secure the area without any cost to you.