A GAS leak which led to the evacuation of 50 homes in a St Clement housing estate has been fixed.
Residents of an apartment block in Le Clos Mourant were able to return to their homes on Sunday after further checks were carried out on “residual gas pockets”.
Island Energy engineers worked through the night to locate the leak and repair work has been completed.
In the statement on Sunday morning, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said: “Residents from Le Clos Mourant in St Clement are now able to return to their homes, following last night’s gas leak.
“Island Energy has confirmed the leak has been identified and fixed, and there have been no readings of gas in the properties for four hours.
“The residual gas pockets have been purged with clean air and no longer pose a risk.
“Island Energy engineers will remain on scene to continue to monitor gas levels over the next couple of days to ensure no further risks are detected.
“The States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service has now stood down from the scene.
“Our emergency response groups endeavour to keep Islanders safe and would not recommend returning home unless it was safe to do so.
“The Government of Jersey, Andium Homes, Island Energy Group and the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding during this disruption.
“Support will continue to be offered to residents by Andium, to assist in the return to their properties.”
Andium were also due to visit all residents on Sunday once they had returned home.
Gas engineers were first called to the flats on Saturday evening following reports of a gas smell and detected a pocket of gas in a service duct.
Island Energy said residents were evacuated as a “precautionary” measure.
Displaced residents were cared for at the Good Companions Club, a charitable social centre for the over 55s, and hotel rooms have been provided by the government.
An Island Energy spokesperson said: “We are now undertaking repairs after identifying and fixing the leak. Residents are now able to return to their homes; however, we’ll be onsite to monitor gas levels over the next couple of days, and clear up will take longer.
“Island Energy has a very strict policy and procedure in the event of a gas escape, and when we are called to attend, we use highly sensitive gas detection equipment, and follow a thorough process checking and monitoring the inside and outside of properties within the vicinity. The evacuation of homes and properties in the vicinity is precautionary, and again is best practice in these situations.
“We would like to thank the residents of the area for their understanding and apologise for the distress and inconvenience caused by this situation. We’re sorry we were not able to get them back into their homes last night so have covered the cost of overnight accommodation to help, our priority is to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
In an update on Sunday morning, Andium said: “We do want to make it clear that the Le Clos Mourant buildings do not have mains gas going into them and we are already speaking to Island Energy and others to understand how gas can have been detected in that area.”
Advice
If you smell gas or suspect a gas escape, call Island Energy’s 24 hour emergency line 755555 immediately and follow the advice below:
Call Island Energy immediately on 755555 (ideally leave the property to call)
Open doors and windows to ventilate
Turn off gas appliances and, if possible, switch off the gas supply at the emergency control valve (next to your gas meter or on the gas cylinder)
Extinguish all naked flames and cigarettes
DO NOT use naked flames or smoke
DO NOT use any electrical appliances or turn electrical switches on OR off
DO NOT use the doorbell
DO NOT message Island Energy via their website or e-mail about an emergency. Call immediately on 755555
