About 200 people were evacuated from their homes and places of work in Romford this morning because of a gas leak.

Fire crews from across Havering and Redbridge rushed to the recently resurfaced Victoria Road in Romford town centre after being called at about 10.30am.

The road was closed between South Street and King Edward Road from 11am until about 3.30pm.

Six properties and nine people remain unable to return to their properties but for everyone else things are back to normal, gas network operator National Grid said.

A spokesman added they did not know the reason for the gas escape but were investigating.

Residents and business owners on Victoria Road have planned to hold a street party on Saturday to celebrate recent improvements, including resurfacing, made to the road.

Shane Mathews, who works in Havering Christian Bookshop, said: “It’s rather ironic for us businesses who have had to suffer lose of trade due to road closure recently during the renovation, but these things happen.”

More than 20 firefighters and fire officers attended the scene.

London Fire Brigade’s Mark Simons, a station manager who was at the scene said: “There has been no fire or explosions but as a precaution we evacuated around 200 people from neighbouring properties.

“Thankfully the latest readings have shown a reduction in the gas levels and firefighters have left the scene.”

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