An area close to the Menin Gate in the West Flemish town of Ieper has been cordoned off due to a gas leak. A gas main was damaged during construction work. The residents of the properties closest to the gas leak have been evacuated from their homes.
At around 11 a.m., the fire brigade received a call concerning a gas leak on the Zonnebeekseweg close to the junction at the Menin Gate in the centre of Ieper. Labourers hit a medium-pressure pipe during construction work.
The local fire service spokesman Kristof Louagie told VRT News that the gas infrastructure management company Fluvius is at the scene and the gas supply has been switched off. Those living and working near to the gas leak have been told to keep their windows and doors closed and switch off air conditioning and ventilation systems.
Residents that live within a 50-metre radius of a gas leak have also been evacuated. Local resident Evelien Lambert told VRT News that “There are about 10 of us here now at the café on the corner just outside the area that has been cordoned off. We heard a lot of noise in the street this morning and it turned out to be a gas leak. We weren't afraid because the police and fire brigade were on the scene quickly.”