Alnwick gas leak sparks fear and evacuation

Mar 12 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

RESIDENTS had to be evacuated from their homes yesterday following a gas leak in a Northumberland market town.

People living in 15 homes at Alnwick were asked to leave their properties by police, who also cordoned off several streets in the area.

A member of the public had reported the smell of gas to United Utilities (UU) at lunchtime.

Northumbria Police was notified at 12.14pm.

Engineers from UU attended and discovered a leak from a gas main on Willowburn Avenue, beside where Willis garage is currently building a new car showroom.

They began the task of capping the leak.

Police arrived and officers cordoned off Willowburn Avenue and adjacent streets in the interests of public safety.

They also evacuated 15 homes on Willowburn Avenue and surrounding streets as a precaution – although gas officials last night said most of these were already empty and only two people were actually in when police called.

Those evacuated were offered the use of facilities at the neighbouring Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre. Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service was asked to attend by police at 12.44pm and a crew from Amble was dispatched.

The firefighters remained on standby as a precaution until 3.49pm when they returned to station.

By 6pm, engineers were still working to cap the leak and residents were still not being allowed back into their homes.