Residents must keep windows closed after gas leak

Residents have been advised to continue to keep their windows and doors closed after a gas leak caused by a drilling company.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Cleat Hill, Bedford, at about 15:00 GMT on Tuesday to reports of a gas leak after a contractor struck a pocket of natural gas while drilling a borehole for a heat pump.

Station commander Matthew Blanchard from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service admitted it was an "usual incident".

He said: "A boreholeing company found a pocket of natural gas that is leaking in a controlled manner, but we are asking residents in the vicinity to keep their doors and windows closed.

"Essentially the leak is under control. There is equipment in place to ensure that the leak is controlled."

"At this time, the fire and rescue service's role is to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the local residents."

However, he admitted he was unsure how much longer the incident would take to resolve.

He said: "We will maintain a presence at the scene for as long as it is necessary".

Gerald Raymond, 77, has lived in Cleat Hill for 36 years. He said: "We've been told there's a gas pocket that's 100m below ground. They've never dealt with this situation before and they're trying to eliminate any possibility of an explosion."

Another resident, Keith Goldup, 80, was told a similar thing: "Normally with a natural gas problem it would be at sea. They did say this is the first time this has happened on land in the UK."

"They've obviously got to take time to come to the right set of actions."

Mr Raymond added he was told by one person, who he believed to work for Bedford Borough Council, that there was a possibility of evacuation.

Mr Blanchard responded: "At the moment the advice is that residents are safe to remain in their homes."

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