Man arrested after gas alert

Aug 17 2006 By The Journal

A man was arrested last night after 100 people were evacuated from their homes in the North-East when a gas pipe was damaged.

Police officers were called to a house in Eldon Street, near Sunderland city centre, at 5.45pm following reports of a domestic argument.

A gas pipe was damaged during the argument and officers reported smelling gas in the area.

A number of homes in the immediate area were evacuated as a safety precaution and Eldon Street and the surrounding roads were closed to traffic.

The man involved in the argument remained in the house and police negotiators were called to persuade him to come out.

He eventually left the house at about 10pm, and the evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Officials from gas company Transco and Sunderland City Council were also called to the scene.

A police spokeswoman said: "It is not believed that anyone has been injured.

"About 100 nearby residents were evacuated. Transco were called to deal with the gas leak."