Police evacuate area of Union Street following a gas leak

At approximately 3am on Sunday 22 September, a gas leak was detected inside the disused Millenium nightclub complex in Union Street, Plymouth.

It was believed that the gas may have been leaking for some time inside the building from a ruptured pipe. In order to ensure public safety, Devon and Cornwall Police closed Union Street to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Two Trees and Crash Manor public houses were evacuated as well as Jesters Nightclub. Police officers guided revellers outside of the cordoned area. Local fast food outlets were also evacuated. There were no reports of disorder as a result of the evacuation.

At 4.40am the levels of gas had fallen sufficiently that the risk to the general public had passed and Union Street was re-opened to traffic and the public.

Devon Ambulance Service attended the scene in support of the Police and the Fire Service as well as engineers from Western Wales Gas and Plymouth Highways Department.

No persons were injured during the incident. Further investigations by gas engineers were due to take place over the weekend.