No injuries were reported after two homes in the city’s midtown area caught fire when contractors struck a natural gas line with an excavator late Saturday afternoon, said Toronto fire.
The incident happened at a house at 66 Balmoral Ave.
Toronto Fire Service (TFS) said flames were visible from the residence as well as a number of neighbouring homes, which were evacuated.
Toronto police said they were called to the area of Yonge Street and Balmoral Avenue, just south of St. Clair Avenue, at 4:15 p.m. for reports of a gas line that had been hit.
They later said that homes on the north side of the street were also evacuated.
The fire was quickly upgraded to a two-alarm incident.
Power as well as the gas line in that area was shut off as crews from Enbridge dealt with the leak.
Balmoral from Yonge to Avenue Road is currently closed to vehicles and pedestrians and police are advising drivers to expect delays.