People evacuated from homes after car crashes into gas substation

An evacuation order is in place in a West Sussex village after a car crashed into a gas substation.

Residents from six flats and one house in Pagham Road, Pagham, have been ordered from their homes and taken shelter in a church hall after the crash this morning.

Emergency services are at the scene, with three firefighter crews on the ground at the substation.

Evacuees said they were woken up to a loud crash and the sound of gas escaping.

Mark Stephens told the BBC he heard a loud ‘bang’ at 3.30am, adding: ‘It just rocked the building a little bit, so I came out and had a look, and I heard the hissing off the gas coming out.’

Jon Coker, who left his property with his mother, said: ‘I heard a knocking on the door at 04:30, and I was really disorientated, I didn’t know what was going on. It was the police.

‘I was really disorientated, I didn’t know what was going on. It was the police

‘It wasn’t a great start to a Monday morning.’

West Sussex Fire and Rescue service said on X: ‘We are currently dealing with a road traffic incident – a car has crashed into a gas substation in Pagham Road.

‘A 100 metre evacuation is taking place as a safety precaution. We have three crews in attendance. Avoid the area to allow firefighters to work safely.

‘People are being transferred to Pagham Church Hall. Please avoid the area.’

Dan Brown, spokesperson for gas company SGN, said it was ‘too early to say’ when those evacuated could return home.

He added: ‘We’re working to repair our gas governor at the junction of Pagham Road and Hook Lane following third party damage.

‘Our engineers are assessing the damage to the governor and carrying out safety checks in the area.’

Pagham Road has also been closed both ways from Sefter Road to Nyetimber Lane.

This is a breaking news story and is being updated.

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