A gas pipeline explosion has prompted evacuations, ongoing road closures and the closure of light rail services in Sydney’s inner west.
Annandale workers hit a gas line at the site of a junction box around 12.30pm on Monday, prompting an hours-long operation to shut off several gas supplies that they feed in the box.
About 30 people in the immediate area were evacuated from their homes and others in the surrounding region were asked to close their doors and windows.
An exclusion zone of around 100 meters has been established. Johnston Street remained closed in both directions between Kentville Avenue and The Crescent for six hours after the incident and buses were replacing light rail services between Fish Market and Dulwich Hill on Monday evening.
“It was a medium to high pressure gas vein, we had to get crews to dig up pipes in other places so they could shut off the supply,” Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.
Police and fire engines have also been dispatched to the scene.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews dispersing gas as the supply is shut off. Credit: Wolter Peeters
“The gas is flammable, but it’s lighter than air and disperses very quickly, and as an extra precaution, we’re dispersing it with water,” Dewberry said.
“The fire trucks are there to make sure the area is safe.”
He said people would likely be allowed to return to their homes and road closures would end once the gas entering the junction is shut off and the line is purged.
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