Street EVACUATED after taxi smashes into home causing gas leak

A street had to be evacuated on Saturday night (July 8) after a taxi smashed into a house in Rochdale.

The taxi crashed into a property on Mellor Street, Rochdale, around 9pm. The crash caused damage to a gas pipe supplying the property, causing a leak.

The road was cordoned off at the junction with Dane Street with nearby residents evacuated. Residents were asked to leave their home for less than an hour with a the scene made safe.

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A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At around 9.30pm on Saturday 9 July, firefighters were called out to a road traffic collision on Mellor Street, Rochdale. Two fire engines from Rochdale Fire Station quickly attended the scene where a taxi had hit a terraced house, damaging the gas supply and causing a leak.

"Mellor Street was closed off, and nearby residents were evacuated until around 10.15pm while crews supported Cadent Gas to make the scene safe. Firefighters were in attendance for around one hour."

A Cadent Gas spokesman said: "We were called out last night after reports that a vehicle crash had caused damage to a service pipe - the small diameter pipe that takes gas into a house from the bigger main in the road. Our team was able to make everything safe and have since relayed a new service pipe to this property, in Mellor Street, Rochdale.

"This was another example of a great, fast response by the emergency services, ensuring that everyone was kept safe. It was also a good reminder that, if you ever smell gas, or become aware of damage to gas pipes, act immediately and call the national gas emergency number: 0800 111 999. All calls are recorded and may be