Residents have been evacuated after a gas leak in Queenborough.

A gas pipe was damaged by engineers who are replacing water mains in the town’s North Road this morning.

Initial reports were that three properties had been evacuated, but at noon residents further along the terrace were also asked to leave their homes.

Police were called to the scene at 10.50am and are likely to remain there for much of the day.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service also has two crews at the site.

A cordon has been put in place from the top of Whiteway Road to Holy Trinity Church.

A witness at the scene this afternoon said: "They were drilling and they just drilled straight through it, that’s what I heard from one of the engineers."

Another resident, whose son has been evacuated, told the Times Guardian: "One of my son's neighbours has just spoken to him and told him he won't be allowed home tonight."

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Southern Gas Networks are dealing with a gas leak on a mains pipe in North Road, Queenborough.

"Six homes in the immediate area have been evacuated as a precaution. It’s understood the affected residents are staying with friends and family.

"Gas engineers are currently at the scene repairing the leak."

A spokesman for Southern Water said: "Southern Water contractors carrying out work to replace some water mains were doing some drilling and hit the gas pipe.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and are on site at the moment working with the other agencies to get it fixed as quickly as possible."

She said it was not possible to estimate what time the work would be completed by.

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