Wayne Fisher, Customer Operations Area Manager, Pennines said; “At approximately 11.00am today a short on an electrical cable caused damage to a gas main at Frederick Walker Gardens in Batley. The heat from the cable resulted in an escape of gas and the fire brigade evacuated a number of houses on the street as a safety precaution.

“A team of Northern Gas Networks highly trained engineers attended the site, isolated the escape and made the situation made safe and are currently working hard to repair the pipe. The evacuated residents have been advised it is now safe to return to their homes and their gas supply will be reinstated later today.”

For more information please contact the Northern Gas Networks Customer Care team on 0845 634 0508 (option 2) or visit www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk

If you smell gas please call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999.