Police, firefighters and gas engineers blocked off Anders Fall, in Eastwood, this morning after a Ford smashed into the front of a house.
The car had mounted the driveway, hitting a neighbour’s car before crashing into Geoff Wilkins’ home and severing the gas pipe, the 80-year-old homeowner says.
Damage – Geoff says his carpet is ‘wrecked’ (Image: Michael Robinson)
Residents were told to leave their homes while Cadent crews worked at the scene after being called at 11.30am and confirming the main gas pipe had been hit.
Geoff said: “It’s beyond belief, we’ve just travelled down this morning.
“It’s completely trashed, we’re speaking with our insurance now to secure the house.”
Geoff and his wife, Susan, live in Surrey, with this being their second home. Susan praised the neighbours who called the fire service following the incident, and let them know what had happened.
Aftermath – Some of the damage to the home (Image: Michael Robinson)
“There was a lot of gas,” Geoff added.
“If anything had ignited, it could have been a different story. Thank god it didn’t, it could have been a lot worse.
“The carpet inside is wrecked, we will have to get a new one.”
Firefighters worked with Cadent to make the scene safe by 1.01pm, and neighbours were later allowed to return to their homes.
Scene – the damage to the car (Image: Michael Robinson)
A spokesman for Cadent said: “As the gas emergency service for the area, we were called around 11.30am this morning to a report of a car that had driven into a property in Anders Fall, Eastwood.
“As a result of the damage to a gas meter, Cadent’s engineers have carried out the necessary safety checks and cut off the gas supply to the affected property. Residents of the properties either side of this property have now been allowed to return to their homes.
“Engineers will be leaving site shortly after completing their final safety checks of the area.
“No other gas supplies have been affected.”