Two kindergartens were evacuated in Longueuil after a fire broke out due to an accidental gas leak during excavation work.

Two kindergartens were evacuated after a gas leak caused two city cars to catch fire after the explosion in Longueuil.

Longueuil police (SPAL) said the fire broke out at 9:55 a.m. while workers were excavating and hit a gas line on the Boulevard Cure-Poirier.

According to Longueuil police spokesman Francois Boucher, “Two workers suffered minor injuries related to smoke or gas inhalation, but the cause has not yet been confirmed.”

110 children were evacuated, but police said no one was injured. Also, 30 residents of the district were evacuated.

The fire, which was extinguished before 14:00, burned for almost five hours

Elisa Ducharme, communications and public affairs consultant for Energir, said that there could be a break in the Rivard gas pipelines.

“Over the past few years, we've seen a reduction in the number of breaks, but we're trying to do preventative work with construction workers and companies to raise awareness of good practices and safe excavation methods,” Rivard explained.

Children attending the kindergartens Pierrot La Lune and Mon empreinte à moi were transferred – many of them were picked up by their parents.

Curé-Poirier Blvd. Both directions between Westgate and Cartier streets were closed for several hours.

Rivard Energir said it would conduct an investigation to find out what happened.

“We will conduct an investigation to see what happened, whether the site inquiry was done correctly, whether good excavation techniques were used, and then we will follow up on that.”

Police advise residents to avoid the area and any parents with information can call SPAL at 450-463-7111.