Roads closed near Drumcondra due to natural gas leak’s explosive risk

Emergency services have closed multiple streets in Geelong as they battle to isolate a dangerous gas leak.

Residents in a pocket of Geelong are being told to stay informed as emergency services work to clear an explosive hazard.

An excavator has ruptured a gas main, sparking an emergency operation in Stradling Ave, Geelong.

Residents were told to stay informed as emergency services worked to clear an explosive hazard.

Fire Rescue Victoria issued a warning via VicEmergency to anyone in an area surrounding the corner of Vincent and Stradling avenues to stay informed just after 11.30am.

Emergency services were still in the process of isolating a natural gas leak at 12.15pm.

It appears the scene was cleared about 12.40pm.

Stradling Ave, between Mount Albert Road and Kooyong Road, and the Esplanade were closed, while emergency services responded.

Stradling Ave in Drumcondra was closed after a gas leak. Picture: Alison Wynd

People were asked to avoid the area, with those in their houses encouraged to close their doors, windows and vents, and ensure heating and cooling systems are turned off.

“There is currently no threat to the community, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions,” the VicEmergency website read.

An FRV spokeswoman said “At 10.52am, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to an incident on Stradling Ave, Geelong after callers to triple-0 reported a gas leak.

“Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes to find a gas main ruptured by an excavator.

“The incident was deemed Under Control at 10.58am.

“The gas company and Victoria Police were on scene, and a community warning issued for the area.”

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Originally published as Roads closed near Drumcondra due to natural gas leak’s explosive risk