06 Jul 2012
A large fire at a gas facility in Jersey caused hundreds of people to be evacuated from their homes, as firefighters battled to contain the potential explosive situation.
Emergency services were called to the site of Jersey Gas in St Helier at around 12.30pm on 4 July as an inferno began to rage from the side of a storage tank.
Locals fled from schools, offices, nurseries and shops, while people in homes on Tunnel Street, St Saviour’s Road, Simon Place and Ann Street were all evacuated.
Fire crews fought the blaze for close to 17-hours before bringing it under control at around 5.10am on the 5 July.
A spokesman for Jersey Gas told BBC News: “Our priority since the problem began has been to work with the fire service and other emergency services to protect life and property.”
Two gas plant workers were injured in the fire, with one man receiving treatment for shock and another man suffering minor facial burns.
Copyright Press Association 2012