Emergency services evacuate Essex Retail Park after suspected Gas leak
A 250m cordon has been set up around Water glade Retail Park
Last updated 18th Aug 2023
Emergency services have evacuated Water Glade Retail park after a suspected gas leak.
Essex Fire and Rescue a digger hit a gas main.
Station Manager Paul Nash said: “All residents from the area of the gas leak have now been evacuated and firefighters are continuing to work alongside partners to make the scene of a gas leak on Old Road safe.
Please continue to avoid the area, especially Waterglade Retail Park and the cinema. The roads are also likely to remain closed so please follow the local diversions. Thank you for your patience whilst we work to make the area safe.”
Firefighters are currently at the scene of a gas leak in Old Road, Clacton, after a gas main was accidentally struck by a digger.
A 250m cordon has been set up. This means that everyone within the cordon will be temporarily asked to leave the area until the gas main can be made safe.
Please avoid the area while we work with our partners to make the scene safe.
Essex fire and rescue say: We are currently assisting Essex County Fire and Rescue Service following a suspected gas leak at Waterglade Retail Park.
We are assisting with road closures and an exclusion zone between Alton Park Road, Leas Road and West Avenue.
Emergency services are advising those affected at the scene.
Century cinema who've been closed for the time being have posted on social media:
"Due to an ongoing major incident near the town centre with an issue with the gas main, the cinema is currently closed as a precautionary measure due to proximity to the incident.
We will reopen when we are given permission to do so from the relevant authorities, and our advice would be to stay away from the area until confirmed it is safe to access.
We apologise for the inconvenience, and we hope to reopen soon.
Any bookings for affected showings can be refunded or swapped to alternative showings, but as we can’t access the building, we can assist once we re-open safely".
Tendring District Council have now set up a rest area in Clacton Leisure Centre for evacuees. This is somewhere to go, inside, with facilities, while residents are unable to return to their homes.