Erith gas leak: Hundreds of people told to flee businesses over major gas leak

Emergency services have set up an exclusion zone following a leak from a high pressure gas mains
Evacuated: Firefighters have set up an exclusion zone after the gas leak was reported
London Fire Brigade
Jamie Bullen19 November 2015

Businesses have been evacuated in south east London following a leak at a high pressure gas main.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has deployed 35 firefighters to Church Manorway in Erith after a 999 call was made today at 9.41am.

No injuries have been reported.

Around 200 people have left businesses, mainly industrial units, after emergency services placed a 200 metre exclusion zone in place while repairs are carried out.

A statement on the SGN website reads: "We have a team of specialist engineers on site, who are in the process of making the situation safe.

"We’re working closely with the emergency services to establish an exclusion zone. It’s important that everyone in the local area adheres to this exclusion zone."

In an updated statement, SGN spokesperson Hannah Brett said: "We have temporarily secured the site in Church Manorway, Erith.

"We’re currently assessing the damage which has occurred and will be able to make a decision about the road closure and exclusion zone in the next couple of hours.

"We will provide a further update at that point."

A LFB spokesman said firefighters are armed with jets in case the gas ignites. Police are also at the scene.

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