Breaking News
Broken main causes chaos
Tuesday 27 May, 2008 12:01am
TRAFFIC on Castle Hill Rd was in chaos for more than 5 1/2 hours on Wednesday after a gas main was punctured.
The explosion occurred at about 2.30pm at the junction of Castle Hill Rd and Edward Bennett Drive.
A police report said contractors working in the area accidentally hit a gas main, puncturing the line.
Up to four Castle Hill police cars and three Eastwood police cars along with emergency services and fire brigades from Castle Hill, Kellyville, Eastwood and Beecroft attended the scene.
One eyewitness, Stephen Reis from West Pennant Hills Veterinary Hospital, noticed a strong odour of gas when leaving at about 2.30pm.
"When I came back at 3.30pm things had progressed to pretty serious with the fire brigade and police blocking our driveway and none of our clients could get in."
Mr Reis said no one approached them about shutting down the business but by about 4pm there was a stronger smell of gas.
Penelope Matchett who lives on Castle Hill Rd said there were police and fire brigade vehicles everywhere when she walked past.
"The gas smell was really strong, they wouldn't let anyone through there at all," she said. "There was a threat that something might ignite. It looked like the entire fire brigade were there."
Resident Lynn Varvel described the traffic as "unbelievable".
Police officially shut down Castle Hill Rd at the heart of peak hour at 5.30pm and diverted traffic down Edward Bennett Drive and Coonara Ave until the gas main was repaired at 7.45pm.
No one was injured in the incident.
