Southern Gas Networks working on gas main after Pulborough crash

It comes after a car crashed into a gas main in Church Hill, Pulborough, at 9.15pm last night.

This caused a “substantial amount of natural gas” to leak out.

A 100-metre cordon was put in place by police and 30 people were evacuated from their homes to a nearby Tesco.

One witness said ten houses were evacuated near the scene.

• READ MORE: Houses evacuated and road cordoned off after car crashes into gas main

Southern Gas Networks have been at the site this morning and are hoping to have repairs complete by the end of today.

A spokeswoman said: “Our engineers attended site last night and made safe by cutting off the gas supply to the damaged pipe.

“We’re on site again this morning making emergency repairs which we hope to have completed by the end of today.”

At the scene last night (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

Sussex Police and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service also gave updates on the crash.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “The driver was not hurt. However some residents were evacuated to a nearby Tesco store by police and West Sussex Fire and Rescue after being advised by the gas board after reports of a possible gas leak.

“The area was closed off and a 100m cordon was put in place. The residents were allowed back into their homes at about 11.30pm after the gas main was repaired.

Southern Gas Networks at the scene (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

A spokeswoman for the fire service: “Crews from Billingshurst and Petworth were sent to the scene and upon arrival firefighters found that one car had collided with a gas main which was leaking a substantial amount of natural gas.

“Approximately 30 people were evacuated from their properties throughout the duration of the incident.

"The gas board swiftly isolated the gas main and residents were able to return to their properties at 11.30pm.

“Fire crews left the scene shortly after and the incident was left in the care of the on-site engineer."