ATIKOKAN — Two emergencies occurred over the weekend that required the small town's emergency response at both locations.
On Aug. 25, just before 8:00 p.m, the Atikokan OPP was dispatched to a house fire in the 100 block of Willow Road.
Six minutes later, a residential gas line rupture was reported on Rawn Road.
Atikokan OPP and the Atikokan Fire Rescue Service responded to both calls simultaneously.
The residences around the gas leak were evacuated by police, and the area was cordoned off.
The utility was successful at capping the leak and the all-clear was given at approximately 10:30 p.m.
The cause of the rupture is attributed to a private excavation.
Atikokan emergency services remind residents of the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012, and that it applies to all homeowners and tenants.
Those planning on digging on a property must submit a locate request to ontarioonecall.ca to request one.
At the fire, no one was injured, but there was extensive interior damage to the single detached residence.
The Atikokan OPP is working with the Atikokan Fire Rescue Service to determine the cause of the blaze.
