HUNDREDS OF people had to be evacuated from their homes and a shopping centre on the north side of Cork city after a gas pipe burst at Blackpool Shopping Centre.
The city’s emergency plan went into operation after gas leaked out of a line that was struck by a van at the rear of the shopping centre at 5.40pm on Saturday.
Gardaí, Bord Gáis and members of the Health Service Executive collaborated to contain the situation. The shopping centre was evacuated and gardaí asked nearby residents to evacuate their homes.
Shoppers and residents took shelter in Blackpool parish church for over an hour while Bord Gáis shut down the pipeline and ensured the safety of the local population.
The emergency plan was deemed a success. Safety experts expressed gratitude that the driver of the van, who initially thought he had a burst tyre, had the common sense to raise the alarm and not drive away from the scene.
Once the pipe was repaired, checks were carried out by Bord Gáis personnel using meters to monitors the homes of residents to ensure there was no leakage of gas into the buildings before people were allowed back home.