Gas line struck after stolen car crashes into Hamilton home

A stolen pickup truck crashed into other vehicles then two houses in east Hamilton rupturing their natural gas lines early Friday.

Police called on residents to evacuate because of the gas leaks caused by the incident.

Police say no one was injured, and the occupants of the vehicle failed to remain on scene.

Emergency crews were called out to Campbell Avenue around 7 a.m. Friday, after a red Ford F-150 struck a home and split a gas line open.

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“The sound of the gas meter whistling just woke me up,” said Richard Oddson who lives in the neighbourhood, “they crashed right into the house right across from us.”

Workers from Enbridge Gas arrived soon after and were able to secure the scene by shutting off the supply of natural gas to the area.

“It’s believed that the vehicle was travelling eastbound on Campbell Avenue, past Balmoral,” Const. Indy Bharaj said, adding that the truck hit another vehicle multiple times before stopping on the front lawn of a residence.

Damages to the home have yet to be determined.

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“They ran up the alleyway to escape,” said Micheal Welch, a resident of the area.

“They had a black bag they were just trying to put whatever they could in it then they ran off down the alleyway,” he said.

Police say that the truck had been stolen at an earlier date.

Witnesses reported the two occupants fled the scene by fence-hopping through several backyards and fences.

Hamilton’s K-9 unit was called out to the scene and officers could be seen canvassing the neighbourhood.

Roads in the area have been reopened and gas line has been closed. Police remain on scene as the investigation is ongoing. #HamOnt. https://t.co/nHzU4QnbZU

— Hamilton Police (@HamiltonPolice) April 19, 2024