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45 residents evacuated after Wolverhampton shop gas pipe drilled

Around 45 residents were evacuated from their homes after a gas pipe at a shop was drilled through.

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Firefighters were called to the grocers on Old Heath Road, Wolverhampton, at 8.30pm on Monday.

Wolverhampton watch commander Ivan Lilley said they were called after workers drilling into a wall at the front of the shop accidentally went into the pipe.

Mr Lilley said while the hole was only the width of a drill piece, about 7mm, it was the external side of the mains, so turning the meter off made no difference.

They called the gas board to isolate the supply to stop the leak.

Residents in nearby properties were evacuated from their homes for about two hours as a safety precaution and the area was cordoned off.

Mr Lilley said they had breathing apparatus and a hose on standby just in case.

They were able to ventilate the building, and remained on the scene to check the gas levels were safe on all floors of the building, including the loft space.

Eight firefighters attended in total. No one required medical attention.

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