Gas leak traced to underground fire

In a statement at 3.45pm today, the spokesman said the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service remain at the scene of an electrical fire of an underground cable at Spencer Road.

One fire appliance from Crescent Link Fire Station and one from Northland Fire Station remain at the scene.

“It is believed the electrical fire caused a release of carbon monoxide gas into the area. A number of people have been treated and a number of properties have been evacuated,” he said.

The PSNI continue to facilitate traffic flow in the area as Spencer Road remained closed.

Earlier it was reported that up to nine people were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure after the gas leak was discovered at 12.30pm.

A number of business premises were evacuated and the road remains closed to both traffic and pedestrians.