People living on a road in Grays have been forced to vacate their homes after a collision involving a car and a gas main caused a leak.
Crews were called to King Edward Drive after a car drove into a green box containing a gas main, fracturing a supply pipe which started leaking gas.
The driver was not seriously hurt and was checked over by paramedics at the scene. Twenty homes were evacuated.
Firefighters are standing by as National Grid engineers work to stem the leak.
Assistant divisional officer Eddie Brennan said: "This was a low speed collision and the driver of the vehicle was not seriously injured.
"At the moment, National Grid is looking at the most effective way of carrying out the repair with minimal disruption to homes in Grays.
"From a fire service perspective, we have three spray plates in operation to contain the gas release.
"As the water hits the escaping gas, it disperses and minimises the risk of fire."
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