Local authorities in Brussels activated their disaster plan after a large gas leak was discovered in the Brussels municipality of Anderlecht on Thursday.
The leak was discovered at the intersection of Chausée de Mons and Rue de Douvres in the northeast of Anderlecht near the canal, Brussels firefighters reported.
A large safety perimeter was established and firefighters went door to door checking if gas had seeped into any homes.
Credit: Brussels Fire Brigade
The leak first started shortly after 15:00. Local police from the Brussels Midi area, along with firefighters, set up a 250-metre perimeter and evacuated homes within 50 metres of the leak.
Some 200 people were evacuated in the process and were brought to a nearby assembly point.
At 18:00 on Thursday evening, rescuers decided to extend the security perimeter once again. Firefighters called on local residents to call Sibelga, Brussels' operator of electricity and natural gas if they smelt gas in the area around the leak.
The incident caused severe disruption to traffic in the area into the evening. Technicians worked through the night to contain the leak.
The pipe believed to be responsible for the leak has since been sealed. Credit: Brussels Fire Brigade
At around 11:00 on Friday morning, the Brussels fire brigade confirmed that technicians had finally stopped the cause of the gas leak.
“The leak has been sealed by Sibelga technicians after hours of painstaking work! Many thanks to them,” said Brussels Fire Brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw.
