Salisbury care home evacuated after gas pipe leak

People were evacuated from their homes and a safety cordon was put in place around London Road, Salisbury, on Wednesday

More than 70 people were evacuated from a care home after a gas main pipe leak.

They were safely removed from Laverstock Care Home in Salisbury on Wednesday after a cordon was put in place around London Road, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service (DWFRS) said.

A spokesperson said the gas leak was down to someone digging and rupturing a gas pipe.

The cordon remains and includes part of the railway line between Salisbury and Andover, which is closed.

South Western Railway said disruption was expected until about 14:30 BST.

About 75 residents from the care home were taken to a local gym before returning about two hours later.

The service said gas distributors SGN had been working through the night to access the damaged gas pipe and the safety cordon had been reduced from 80m to 60m.

A fire engine and a water carrier are also still at the site.