"The smell of gas was really strong - we had to get out": Chaos as city centre street evacuated after workers 'dig through live gas pipe'

Buildings and offices were evacuated in chaotic scenes in Manchester city centre on Wednesday (January 15) following reports of a gas leak.

It's understood workmen nearby had pulled through a live gas pipe and caused damage to the mains, sparking the huge emergency response at around 1pm.

Businesses, including a local salon filled with customers, were forced to quickly evacuate before John Dalton Street was taped off, and police and fire crews attended the incident.

Kate Hopkinson 26, who owns the House of Vanity salon, told the M.E.N of the moment fire crews told her shop to immediately evacuate after noticing a 'strong smell of gas' from the offices above.

Kate, who is pregnant, claimed that the emergency crews on scene said they didn't want anyone to be inside in case the building 'blew up'.

"They went upstairs and evacuated because the smell of gas was really strong up there," she said. "We had clients in getting blow dries and their nails done and were fully booked for the afternoon. We asked how long we'd be out for and they said 'how long is a piece of string?'

"We got rushed out really quickly because they said we had to be out and that they didn't want anything to blow up. We were able to take the rollers out of one woman and have had to reschedule our clients for the rest of the day.

"I just wanted to get out straight away. I am pregnant so was panicking a bit."

Another witness, Hope Gallagher, who is studying in the city centre, was at the scene when emergency crews descended. She said: "People were very confused what’s going on. It seemed a bit hectic.

"There were loads of people standing around waiting to be told where they could go. They told us it’s was gas leak but wouldn’t say much more."

Police asked