Town centre street closed as police assist fire service after ‘gas leak’

Update: Steve Watts, Wales & West Utilities Area Business Manager for North Wales said: “We were alerted to reports of a fire at a property in the Chester Street area of Wrexham this afternoon and immediately sent a team investigate.

“On arrival, we found that a third-party contractor working in the area had damaged a gas pipe, resulting in a fire. As a precaution, the emergency services closed Chester Street.”

“The fire has now been extinguished and we are repairing the damaged gas pipe.”

“We would encourage everyone in the construction industry to make sure they know if there are gas pipes where they are working. Phone Wales & West Utilities first on 029 2027 8912 or go to www.wwutilities.co.uk/dig.

“If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night. Before visiting, we’ll ask you to let us know if you or anyone in your household, is experiencing Coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating. We’ll still come and help you: but our teams will take some additional precautions to keep us all safe.”

Update: The Fire & Rescue Service have told us, “We were called to this incident on Chester St at 1254hrs and remain at the scene. Small fire involving gas piping – gas engineer assisting and gas now isolated. Crews assisting with cooling and monitoring.”

Thankfully they added, “All persons on site accounted for”.

Update: The incident response is focussed around the council’s Crown Buildings office block, which is currently closed off for refurbishment work.

Update: We are told emergency services have concerns over a ‘gas leak’ in the area.

Original information:

Chester Street is closed this afternoon.

Police are currently assisting the fire service.

Police say the road is closed from Powell road to Holt street, “Please avoid the area whilst the situation is ongoing.”

More shortly.