Victoria police are searching for two hooligans who caused a gas leak early Tuesday morning behind a Jewish synagogue while apparently high on drugs.

Officers were called to the temple on Blanshard and Pandora streets at around 5:30 a.m., but the suspects had already fled and a police search turned up no sign of them.

"A witness saw two people who were clearly under the effects of drugs jumping up and down on a gas meter," said Const. Mike Russell.

"All we've heard is that one was male and was wearing a white hoodie."

Gas company Fortis BC arrived shortly after to turn off the gas but the leak had already spread and surrounding streets were shut down for 45 minutes.

Russell said police do not believe the offence was a hate crime but an investigation is ongoing.