A gas leak behind the Coles complex in Warner Street in Port Douglas sparked an evacuation yesterday.

The cause of the accident was said to be excavation workers cutting through a gas pipe that was not found on site plans.

People were evacuated from the area and traffic was blocked off as police, ambulance and fire crews including two trucks from Port Douglas and one from Mossman descended on the scene.

The pipe was able to be capped quickly by Cairns Cable Locators and no injuries were reported.