SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Residents in and around downtown Yellowknife were left without water Thursday as underground vibrations from blasting at a construction site ruptured a water main near School Draw Avenue and 49 Street around 11 a.m.

Scott Gillard, assistant superintendent of water and sewer for the city, was on site quickly after receiving a deluge of calls.

He said the situation seemed accidental.

"(It was) probably underground vibrations" from the blast that triggered the rupture, he said. "That's our best guess."

Asked whether the crew was taking appropriate precautions while blasting so close to a water main, Gillard replied, "They're supposed to be."

He added no fines to the developer, Highstreet Ventures Inc., are expected.

Matt Butler, president of builder Traine Construction, did not return calls before press time.

Buildings downtown were without water for about half an hour while crews worked to isolate the damaged water main.

Repairs to the line were expected to be completed before the end of the day. Homeowner at three nearby residences were notified they would be without water until the repairs were completed.

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