Emergency services evacuated several homes and businesses in Prescot on Tuesday evening after a gas leak occurred on Warrington Road. The incident, which began around 6:15 PM on September 30, prompted a major response from fire, police, and gas utility teams, leading to significant road closures and transport disruption.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the leak was caused by ongoing works in the area. A safety cordon remains in place as engineers work to resolve the issue, and residents have been advised to avoid the location.
Key Takeaways
- A gas leak on Warrington Road in Prescot was reported at approximately 6:15 PM.
- Four shops and five flats above them were fully evacuated as a precaution.
- Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Merseyside Police, and Cadent Gas are all at the scene.
- The A57 Warrington Road is closed in both directions, causing significant traffic delays and bus diversions.
- No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
Emergency Services Respond to Prescot Incident
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) was alerted to a potential gas leak on Warrington Road at around 6:15 PM. According to an official statement, fire crews were dispatched and arrived at the scene within ten minutes.
Two fire engines were sent to the location to assess the situation. They were joined by officers from Merseyside Police, who immediately began implementing road closures and establishing a safety cordon to protect the public.
The source of the leak was quickly identified as being related to ongoing works in the vicinity. Utility company Cadent Gas was called to the scene to manage the situation. Upon arrival, their engineers verified the presence of a gas leak and initiated emergency procedures.
Multi-Agency Coordination
Incidents involving public utilities like gas mains require a coordinated response. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service handles the immediate safety and evacuation, Merseyside Police manages traffic control and public order, and Cadent Gas provides the technical expertise to isolate and repair the leak.
Safety Measures and Evacuations
As a primary safety precaution, emergency services conducted a full evacuation of properties deemed to be at risk. This included four commercial shops located on Warrington Road and five residential flats situated above them.
MFRS confirmed that all occupants were safely removed from the buildings. Officials have stated that no injuries have been reported as a result of the leak or the subsequent evacuation process.
To further secure the area, gas and electricity supplies to the directly affected properties were isolated. This is a standard procedure to minimize any risk of ignition while engineers work on the gas main.
Incident Timeline
- 6:15 PM: MFRS receives call about a gas leak.
- 6:25 PM: Fire crews arrive on scene.
- Shortly after: Police and Cadent Gas attend.
- Ongoing: Emergency repair works and road closures continue.
A multi-agency meeting was held at the scene to coordinate the ongoing response. Authorities are continuously monitoring gas levels in the atmosphere to ensure the safety of the public and the emergency crews working in the area.
Significant Traffic and Transport Disruption
The closure of the A57 Warrington Road has caused considerable disruption to local traffic. The road is shut in both directions between Eccleston Street and the A58 St Helens Road, leading to long queues and congestion on surrounding routes.
Motorists are being strongly advised to avoid the area completely and seek alternative routes. The police cordon is expected to remain in place until Cadent Gas engineers declare the scene safe.
Bus Service Diversions
Public transport has also been affected by the incident. Arriva North West issued a travel alert to passengers, warning of delays and diversions to its services.
The company confirmed the following changes:
- The 10A service to Liverpool is being diverted via Steley Way, Manchester Road, and Liverpool Road.
- Services heading in the opposite direction towards St Helens will use the same diversionary route in reverse.
Passengers using these services are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and check for the latest updates from the transport operator.
Ongoing Works and Official Advice
A specialist dig team from Cadent Gas is currently on-site, working to access and isolate the affected section of the gas main. The repair work is complex and is expected to continue for some time.
The fire service has committed to remaining at the scene until the situation is fully resolved and the area is deemed safe for residents and businesses to return. The duration of the road closure has not yet been confirmed and will depend on the progress of the repair work.
According to the traffic monitoring service Inrix, motorists should expect ongoing delays. The official advice from all emergency services is for the public to stay away from Warrington Road until the cordon is lifted.