Ruptured gas main closes Longbrook Street

A major gas leak has closed part of Exeter city centre.

Properties in Longbrook Street have been evacuated and the road has been closed.

Fire crews from Exeter have confirmed a ruptured gas main on the corner of Longbrook Street.

A spokesman said: “A 100 metre cordon has been set up and the road has been closed. All the properties within the one hundred metre cordon have now been evacuated.

“The flow of gas has been stemmed but not completely isolated.

“Fire crews are at work with a positive pressure ventilation fan to assist with gas ventilation and are now withdrawing to a safe distance.”

Update at 2.34pm: Transco engineers are at work, making attempts to isolate the gas mains supply.

The gas main has now been isolated by the gas engineer and gas monitors are showing zero readings throughout the area. Positive pressure ventilation and small tools were used by the fire crews.

The road has reopened.