Five homes had to be evacuated after a young driver lost control of his vehicle in the 200-block Beach Drive last night, hitting a house and it's gas metre.
Police were called to the area about 8pm and determined the young male driver had tried to pass another vehicle and lost control.
The car crossed into the oncoming lane, jumped the curb, glanced off a tree, continued through a hedge and struck a house right where the gas meter was -- triggering a leak.
5 homes were evacuated for 3 hours while FortisBC dealt with the issue.
Chief Constable Andy Brinton says alcohol was not a factor -- but speed and wet pavement were:
"We did issue a ticket to the driver for driving without due care and attention, which is a fairly serious offence under the Motor Vehicle Act. And also incidentally for not displaying a new driver sign, this person had the status of being a new driver. The vehicle was damaged pretty severely, wasn't drivable, so we had it towed."
No one in the home was injured. The driver and passenger in the car reported minor injuries. Damage to the house is still being assessed.