THE rupture of a gas main while engineers were trying to repair the collapse in the old Victorian sewer in Market Street, Crediton, caused the evacuation of offices on Thursday, July 26.

A corden was set up and firefighters and police evacuated workers in local businesses.

Firefighters used jets of water to prevent ignition and “disperse” the gas.

Crews from Crediton and Danes Castle in Exeter attended along with the Environmental Protection Unit from Newton Abbot.

Wales and West Utilities were able to locate the pipe and repair it and the South West Water engineers were then able to return to work on the collapsed sewer.

Since that time, the engineers have dug a further hole nearer the Crediton Council Offices.

A temporary prohibition of through traffic and parking has been put in place in Market Street until Friday, August 10.

The collapse occurred on Sunday, July 22 after a hole appeared in the road.

Motorists are also advised that there will be a road closure in Parliament Street in Crediton from Wednesday, August 8 for a maximum of five days.

The work, by Kier on behalf of South West Water, is to repair a service pipe leak.

It is unknown if the two road closures will occur at the same time or be co-ordinated to follow each other.