Homes evacuated due to gas pipe leak fire

Engineers have been working on Dee Banks to make sure the area is safe

Residents had to be evacuated from their homes because of a fire caused by a gas pipe leak.

Fire crews remained on Dee Banks, Chester, for more than four hours on Friday evening.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said a medium-sized gas main leak had ignited near some water pipe works.

Gas engineers were working to ensure the area is safe, Cadent Gas said.

'Making it safe'

CFRS said firefighters used two hose-reel jets to confine the flames and protect a parked van from the heat.

All residents were accounted for and there were no injuries, a spokesperson added.

A cordon is still in place and the road remains closed but residents have been allowed to go back to their homes.

"Properties in the area without gas will be contacted in the coming hours and residents are advised to follow Cadent's social media accounts for updates," CRFS said.

Fire crews put out the blaze before it had chance to destroy a nearby works van

Cadent Gas said repair work was being carried out after the supply feeding into the gas main was cut off.

A spokesman said: "Engineers are currently working in the area to make everything safe, but there now follows the process of recommission and repressurising the local network which will take some time.

"We are aware that this is affecting a large number of residents and our teams will be on hand to manage the situation, and we will be working with the local community to support our customers."