The roadwork that led to evacuation of 100+ properties

Yesterday I saw Hazmat guys and police out my window. What happened was:

More than 100 properties were evacuated in Sydney’s Surry Hills after a backhoe at a work site ruptured a gas main today. Police and fire crews were called to the intersection of Belvoir and Clisdell streets about 9am after being alerted to the leak.

“About 120 residential units and the Belvoir St Theatre have been evacuated as a precaution,” a police spokesman said.

Traffic was diverted from the area and an exclusion zone more than a block wide was set up.

NSW Fire Brigade Superintendent Ian Krimmer said there was ‘‘a strong gas odour’’ in the area but no one had been overcome by gas.

‘‘The high-pressure gas main was ruptured by a backhoe at a work site nearby,’’ Superintendent Krimmer said.

About 20 firefighters, working with gas company representatives, sealed off the pipe just before 11am, he said.

Police said residents were allowed to go back into their homes about 11.20am.

My place wasn’t evacuated, but I could sure smell the gas. The event was maybe 100 metres up the hill.

Corner of Belvoir and Clisdell Streets, Monday.