Town centre cleared after gas leak
Saturday 17th January 2009, 10:30AM GMT.
Dozens of people had to be evacuated from town centre pubs, takeaways and flats in Oswestry after a suspected drink-driver ploughed his van into the wall of a shop.
Emergency services were called out to Martin Britten’s Clubhouse in Leg Street after the Vauxhall Combo van hit the shop and fractured a gas main shortly after 9pm yesterday.
About 60 people from premises in Leg Street and nearby had to be evacuated after the incident, which had caused a gas leak in the area.
Police arrested the male driver of the van, who was unharmed, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
About a dozen firefighters were called to the scene and the area was cordoned off.
Transco workers sealed the gas leak, and all properties were safe again by 10.30pm.
Crew manager Robin Evans said fire engines from Oswestry and Chirk attended.
He said: “The driver fractured the top of a gas main so it’s caused a gas leak.
“A 200m cordon was put in place and we evacuated people from the businesses and residential areas.”
Today Inspector John O’Leary said the driver, who was in his 60s, had been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and had been bailed to a later date without charge.
Clothing shop owner Martin Britten today said he had rushed to the scene.
He stressed the shop was open for business as usual although some repair work would have to be carried out to the front of his premises.
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