Major gas leak shuts Sydney CBD streets and train stations
Authorities have reduced the gas pressure to a safe level, but it will be several hours before repair works are completed. Photo: Sky News
Sydneysiders are being asked to stay away from Martin Place because a high-pressure gas leak, which has closed numerous CBD streets for more than 10 hours, is unlikely to be fully repaired before nightfall.
The incident was reportedly caused by an excavator hitting a steel gas main about 10.30pm on Friday.
Castlereagh Street, Elizabeth Street and Phillip Street remain closed between Hunter and King streets, while Macquarie Street has reopened.
Firefighters established an exclusion zone of about 200 metres when the street-level pipe ruptured and a “large volume of gas started escaping under pressure”, Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Paul Johnson told AAP on Saturday morning.
The leak emitted a strong smell and deafening hissing sound, and a number of commercial buildings were evacuated.
Police and Hazmat crews were brought in to assist.
SYDNEY CBD | #FRNSW have approx 50 firefighters at a major gas leak in Martin Place near Castlereagh St. Large areas of the city have been evacuated and closed to traffic. Gas company reps are working to shut down the gas line.
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) July 6, 2018
The rupture is yet to be completely patched, and Jemena gas company workers were on scene throughout the night to deal with the “dangerous and elevated” gas levels.
“They’ve been able to put a plug-type system in there which has stemmed the gas leak but not fully stopped it,” Superintendent Johnson said.
He said it will still be “a few hours yet” until a more permanent solution is found.
According to a statement from Jemena issued at 8.30am on Saturday, repair works could take between 10 and 12 hours to complete, the gas pressure has been reduced “to a safe level” and no customers are without gas due to service diversions.
The company has issued an apology to those affected and will issue a situation update at 3pm.
All trains will continue to run on the City Circle and Eastern Suburbs line but won’t stop at Martin Place, and local buses are being diverted, a Transport Management Centre spokesman said.
Motorists and commuters are being asked to stay away from the area until further notice.
-AAP
