Evacuation as gas leak prompts car explosion fear

Homes were evacuated while gas engineers and firefighters made the scene safe

Homes in part of Lyme Regis were evacuated after a gas main leaked beneath a parked car, leading to concerns the vehicle could explode.

Emergency services were called to Pound Street at about 20:50 BST on Tuesday where the pipe was found to be leaking beneath the road.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service crews said the gas from the "ruptured" pipe had "vented into a car, creating a potential explosion risk".

Residents were asked to leave their homes while the vehicle was moved, and were allowed to return at about 11:00 BST.

In a Facebook post, Charmouth fire station, which attended alongside a crew from Bridport, said: "Crews evacuated the immediate area and gained entry into the vehicle.

"Fortunately it did not explode and we were able to vent the gas and move the vehicle so that the gas engineers could carry out repair work to the ruptured pipe."

Fire crews gained access to the car which was parked over the leaking gas main

A fire service spokesperson added: "A small number of properties were evacuated to ensure resident safety."

Simon Collins, spokesperson for gas company SGN, said engineers attended following reports of a smell of gas.

He said: "We found a leak on a gas pipe running beneath the road, but were unable to access it due to a vehicle being parked in the way.

"As a precaution, we evacuated nearby properties while the emergency services removed the vehicle, which allowed us to stop the leak and make the area safe.

"All residents were then allowed to return to their homes.

"We'd like to thank people for their patience while we worked to make this essential repair."