Around two dozen homes in St. George have been evacuated after a natural gas leak.

The incident happened in the Main Street and Clinch Street area around 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.

“Persons in the area must evacuate the area immediately and await further instructions,” the municipality of Eastern Charlotte said in a Facebook post.

“Do not enter the area until an ‘all clear’ announcement is made.”

Jason Gaudet, CAO for Eastern Charlotte, told our newsroom that crews doing excavation work for a sewage line struck a natural gas line.

Earlier in the day, the municipality posted about utility repairs that were occurring along Clinch Street between Main Street and Gillmor Street.

Gaudet said around 25 homes in a 100- to 150-metre radius were evacuated. The Magaguadavic Place Community Center is being used as a temporary shelter.

The CAO expected residents will be able to return home later Wednesday evening, adding they are waiting for Liberty Gas crews to arrive on the scene.

Residents who are feeling sick, experiencing skin irritation or having trouble breathing are advised to report to the local hospital or call 911.