Tasmania Police were called to the report of a gas leak in Mulgrave Street in South Launceston at 12:30 pm.  Ben Lomond Water employees had ruptured a ‘natural gas’ gas line whilst conducting routine maintenance on storm water drains.

Police arrived and on advice from (TFS) Tas Fire Service personnel set up a 100m exclusion zone blocking off vehicular and pedestrian access.  Gas was venting into the atmosphere and on inspection by TFS gas was discovered to be leaking into the storm water drains, with the possibility of it venting into persons homes.  Relevant contractors were called to attend and repair the gas line, and a Workplace Safety gas inspector attended.

Acting on advice from TFS Police prepared an evacuation plan for residents of homes within the exclusion zone.  As the evacuation was commencing TFS advised that the gas leak had been stopped and that residents should now be advised to stay in their homes and open windows and doors to ventilate their homes.

After final repairs were made to the gas line vehicular and pedestrian access was resumed to normal at 2:45 pm.

Tasmania Police Media
(03) 6230 2296