VANCOUVER, Jul. 2, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- A gas leak at a pipeline owned by EnCana (NYSE:ECA) in western Canada's British Columbia province was caused by a blast, which was the fifth similar attack, local media reported Thursday.

The leak at a sweet gas well in Pouce coupe, northeast of the province, was discovered Wednesday by workers of EnCana, a major player in northern British Columbia's rapidly expanding oil and gas industry, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said.

Preliminary examinations showed the damage was caused by an explosion, which was considered the fifth in a series of "criminally motivated acts" targeted at EnCana's oil and gas operations in that area, the RCMP said in a statement.

EnCana crews have been trying to stop the leak so that the police can conduct a more detailed investigation, and the leak posed no danger to the public, company spokesman Rhona Delfrari said.

He said that the explosion was very frustrating but no one was hurt.

The four earlier explosions happened between last October and this January, damaging EnCana-owned pipeline or wellheads carrying sour gas near the communities of Dawson Creek and Tomslake in northeastern British Columbia province.

Investigators believed the attacks were linked to a letter warning EnCana to leave the area.

Letters sent to media in the Dawson Creek area last October complained about the production of "crazy" natural gas, a possible reference to the deadly sour gas that is produced in the area and shipped by EnCana.