SUDBURY -- The heavy snow loads on roofs this winter is prompting the Timmins Fire Department to remind property owners to keep gas lines and meters clear of snow.
Fire officials say they've been called out to the Timmins Square Shopping Mall three times this week due to natural gas leaks.
The roof is flat and the gas lines run along the top of the roof, with meters located above each store. Officials say the snow load on the roof is causing the gas lines to bend and leak, putting gas within the mall.
Fire crews attended the mall twice Saturday morning and officials say two people were treated and released, no one was hurt.
John Marvrinac is a firefighter in Timmins. He talked to CTV News about the seriousness of the issue.
"It's serious enough. Because what happens is the mall fills up with natural gas and there is an explosion range limit within it, but we've never come close to hitting that limit yet." said Mavrinac.
Mavrinac says Union Gas has ordered mall officials to clear snow away from the lines so it doesn't happen again.
