Gas Leak Sparks Fiery Blaze on Chester’s Dee Banks
A gas leak on Dee Banks in Great Boughton, Chester, triggered a dramatic fire on the evening of 21 June 2024. Emergency services sprang into action, deploying two fire engines from Chester and one from Ellesmere Port, plus the Service Welfare Unit.
Incident Breakdown
- Date & Time: 21 June 2024, 20:16
- Location: Dee Banks, Great Boughton, Chester
- Response Teams: Two fire engines from Chester, one from Ellesmere Port, and the Service Welfare Unit
Blaze Timeline
20:45 Update: North West Fire Control received multiple reports of a fire on Dee Banks shortly after 20:15. The fire stemmed from a leaking gas main that ignited amid ongoing water pipe installation works. Thankfully, nearby homes and the local school escaped damage, but residents were evacuated as a safety precaution.
Firefighters contained the flames using hose reel jets and a covering water jet, protecting a parked van from the heat. Gas engineers were swiftly dispatched to cut off the supply. The road, already closed for works, stayed off-limits while the emergency unfolded.
21:30 Update: Fire crews worked hard to dampen down hotspots and prevent the fire from spreading.
23:30 Update: Engineers started isolating the gas supply, with the fire expected to be out soon.
00:20 Update: Gas was successfully shut off, and firefighters extinguished the blaze. They remained on-site cooling the area while evacuated residents were allowed back. A safety cordon stayed in place.
Final Update 01:15: Firefighters left the scene, handing control over to Cadent, the gas network operator. Properties without gas will receive updates in the coming hours. Residents are advised to follow Cadent’s social media accounts for the latest information.
What This Means
The rapid response stopped the gas leak and fire from causing injuries or property damage. This incident underlines the critical need for vigilance when dealing with utility emergencies, especially during infrastructure upgrades.
