Manly: Darley road unit block evacuated as tree on fire after gas leak

Emergency crews have rushed to a ‘really dangerous’ gas leak which caused flames to engulf a tree on the northern beaches. It has also led to the evacuation of a unit block.

Flames shoot up into tree outside an apartment building on Darley Rd in Manly on March 16 2020. Picture: Madelaine Wong

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Flames have shot up into a tree after a gas main ruptured in Manly on Monday afternoon.

It’s believed a gas company were working the site on Darley Rd when it ruptured just after 4pm, leading to the evacuation of a unit block located directly behind the leak.

A NSW Fire & Rescue spokesman said there were two fire trucks on the scene.

“It appears workers on site have hit the gas main and it has caught fire,” one spokeswoman said.

A passer-by said they could hear a loud noise from the strong flames. Picture: Madelaine Wong

Another spokesman said, “we have a fire truck from Manly and a fire truck from Dee Why. At this stage we do not believe there has been any damage cause the unit block” and “they will let it keep burning rather than escaping later.”

A number of residents have come home, shocked at the tall flames and with concerns it may be some time before they’re let back into their homes as rain continues to bucket down.

One passer-by said they heard a loud sound but was unsure if it was the explosion or the strong flames.

Meanwhile, long term Manly resident Chelsea Glover said she noticed something leaking from the ground days ago.

“It was this liquid substance, I don’t know if it was gas or something else but I thought it was unusual,” Ms Glover said.

“It’s just insane, it’s really dangerous.”

Another resident said it’s not the first time there have been gas leaks in the area and more recently there was a burst water mane which shot up into the sky.

“It could be a sign more infrastructure needs to be done around here,” he said, requesting to remain anonymous.

Police cautioned off the area with police tape and were on traffic duty while two Jemena gas trucks were also on site.