Crookham villagers evacuated after gas main car crash Published duration 1 February

image copyright Hampshire Fire and Rescue image caption The crash caused the rupture of a high-volume gas main in Crookham Village

About 60 people were evacuated from a village after a car crashed into a gas main.

Part of Crookham Village, near Fleet in Hampshire, was cordoned off after the crash at 05:45 GMT, which caused the rupture of a "high-volume main".

Residents were evacuated to a local leisure centre, with one resident, Keith Pickles, saying he had heard a "loud hiss" coming from the gas box.

The leak has now been repaired and residents have returned home.

The cordon has been lifted and roads have reopened, Hampshire Constabulary said.

Hazardous materials officer at Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Fred Pettersson, said: "This was a very serious incident, and if the gas had ignited there would've been severe injury and serious structural damage to buildings nearby."

A 35-year-old man from Fleet has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving.