A call to BC One Call may have prevented the need to evacuate two blocks of Silica Street in Nelson Monday .
The fire department says a contractor using an excavator appears to have caused the large natural gas leak.
Police and public works crews were also involved in cordoning off the area.
There was so much gas being released that Nelson Hydro were called in to de-energize power to the immediate area to prevent any possible ignition source.
BC One Call is a free 1-800 service offering info on where gas lines are located underground.