Riverview Gas leak

Several residents have been evacuated from their homes as engineers attempt to fix a broken gas mains on a busy housing estate.

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Southern Gas Networks attended Whinfell Way, Riverveiw Park, Gravesend, in the early hours of yesterday and dug up several parts of the road outside properties and shops in a bid to find the source of the leak.

As a result three residential properties were evacuated at 1pm and residents were put up for the night in a hotel, while three shops, Riverview Fish Shop, Coin Op Wash Launderette and Hasan’s Indian Cuisine were also evacuated.

Today the situation was still ongoing.

Laura Varney, spokesman for Southern Gas Networks, said: “Safety is our number one priority and as soon as the call came in we had emergency engineers out on-site.

“At the moment our specialised team are working to repair the gas leak. Residents will be allowed back into their properties only when it is safe for them to do so and final checks have been done. If a member of the public smells gas they should call 0800 111 999 immediately.”

Engineers have located a broken gas mains where a bolted joint had been leaking in the main. They are hopng to make a permanent repair on the gas main but they don’t have a timescale for when residents will be allowed back in yet.