A portion of downtown Chemainus surrounding the new library site is currently blocked due to a gas leak.
The source of the leak is unknown, but a worker at the library heard a hissing noise from a manhole location at the back of the construction area near the Normandy Apartments along Cypress Street.
Firefighters have blocked off a section of Willow Street from the Chemainus United Church to the main business area by Misfits. Arterial roads are also shut down.
People in surrounding businesses and buildings in the area closest to the perceibed source were evacuated. A Fortis company representative was due on site and the area was expected to be shut down for at least a couple of hours.