Emergency crews have blocked off a Vancouver street where construction workers have ruptured a gas line.

A number of buildings on 7th avenue between Cambie and Ash have been evacuated as paramedics and firefighters assess the situation.

The smell is strong in the air and the leak is large enough, the vapours are visible from several feet away.

The location of the leak is in an area surrounded by businesses, homes and offices... Including the headquarters of the BC Teachers' Federation and the BC Cancer foundation.