For the second time in a week, a gas leak has disrupted activity here.
The bridge linking Fort Frances and International Falls was closed for about 20 minutes Tuesday morning after Canada Customs personnel detected a strong smell in the office at 10:15.
At 10:25, Customs officials advised their counterparts on the U.S. side and the border was closed.
“We notified U.S. Customs, who then had the Border Patrol hold all incoming traffic,” Customs officer Kathie Jackson explained.
The problem eventually was traced to what appeared to be a frozen vent on the building’s roof, which prevented the gas from reaching the burners and instead diverted it into the ventilation system.
Workers from the nearby Abitibi-Consolidated mill fixed the problem before the gas company arrived.
“By the time the gas company got here, everything was fine,” said Customs officer Howard Bobczynski.
Business was back to normal by 10:45 a.m.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
