The Dorpsstraat in Hijken was closed today at the end of the afternoon due to a major gas leak. About twenty homes were evacuated. The leak was found just after half past seven this evening, and the leak was stopped by a quarter to nine.
Just before eight o’clock the power also went off in Hijken. When around half past ten measurements by the fire brigade showed that there was no longer any escaping gas, the power was turned back on in phases. And natural gas could also start flowing again from that time on.
The emergency services issued two NL Alerts tonight with the urgent advice not to use ignition sources and not to smoke throughout Hijken. The advice is still: stay indoors and open windows and doors.
People who have to leave their home are accommodated at the sports park on Meerweg.
It is unknown how the leak occurred. It looks like the gas is coming from the sewer.