By KLTV Newsdesk –
Around 60 residents were forced to evacuate their flats in Kirkgate, Wakefield, after a significant gas leak was detected.
The incident, which occurred today (9 April) at approximately 11 am, required the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) intervention.
Major Incident
Crews from Wakefield, Normanton, and Dewsbury were dispatched to the scene to address the situation.
By early afternoon, the gas leak was deemed a major incident, prompting the emergency services to evacuate the affected residents from their homes.
The evacuation was carried out by WYFRS, Wakefield District Housing, and the local authority, with residents being temporarily housed at the nearby Wakefield Spiritualist Church on Peterson Road.
Streets surrounding the flats were also closed off to the public.
Firefighters worked alongside Northern Gas Networks to isolate the gas supply and cap off the leak, with the incident lasting until 6.30 pm.
‘Evacuation’
Tim Jones, group manager at WYFRS, said crews had to act quickly to ensure the safety of all residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
“During the evacuation process, we were focused on making sure all residents were moved safely and quickly from the flats,” he said. “We worked with other emergency services, the flat owners, and the local authority to ensure the area was cordoned off and everyone was kept safe.”
The situation has now been handed over to the owners of the flats and Northern Gas Networks, who are expected to transport the residents back to their homes.