Massive Gas Leak Spurs Evacuation in Guangzhou

On May 13, at around 9am, an excavator working on a construction project in Guangzhou’s Yuexiu District cracked a pipe carrying natural gas. 

The accident caused an immense leakage of the highly-flammable gas, which spurted from the ground like a high-pressure fountain. Firefighters were dispatched and all residents within 1 kilometer of the leak were evacuated by the Hengfu Fire-Control Division.  

Water cannons were used by first responders to dilute the leaked natural gas, which is comprised mostly of methane, and the company using the pipe was ordered to cut off gas flow. 

By 9.20am a technician from the gas company had successfully shut down the pipe, according to a Tencent News report. 

Firefighters were able to secure the scene and no explosions or casualties were reported.

[Images via Tencent News]