Pulborough Gas Main Crash Sees Two Men Injured And 30 Residents Evacuated

Thursday, 5 January 2023 10:43

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Thirty residents from ten homes were evacuated in Pulborough last night (Wednesday) after a car crashed into a gas main.

Crews from Billingshurst and Petworth Fire Stations were called to Church Hill at 9.18pm after the driver of a vehicle — which also contained two passengers — took evasive action after seeing a 'road closed' sign.

Three male passengers from the car were subsequently treated for minor injuries.

The gas supply was later isolated and inspections of the gas main are took place with one crew from Billinghurst Fire Station remaining at the scene until it was safe.

Residents returned to their homes at 11.30pm. with an on-site engineer remaining in attendance overnight to conduct tests.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said:

“Last night at 9.18pm Joint Fire Control received reports of a road traffic collision at Church Hill, Pulborough.

“Crews from Billingshurst and Petworth were sent to the scene and upon arrival firefighters found that one car had collided with a gas main which was leaking a substantial amount of natural gas.

“The driver was unhurt and firefighters worked with Sussex Police to implement a 100 metre cordon. Approximately 30 people were evacuated from their properties throughout the duration of the incident.

"The gas board swiftly isolated the gas main and residents were able to return to their properties at 11.30pm.

“Fire crews left the scene shortly after and the incident was left in the care of the on-site engineer."

A spokesperson for SGN added:

"Our engineers attended the site last night and made it safe by cutting off the gas supply to our pipe which was damaged by a vehicle.

"We’re on site again this morning (Thursday) making emergency repairs which we hope to have completed by the end of today."