Fire crews attend ‘major gas leak’ outside the Cadbury factory

Fire crews attend ‘major gas leak’ outside the Cadbury factory in Bournville as 800 people are evacuated from the area

• Fire crews are at the scene of a suspected gas leak near the Cadbury factory  
• Around 800 people have been evacuated from the area in Bournville
• Cadbury confirmed this afternoon that the gas leak is not connected to their site 

Fire crews are at the scene of a ‘major gas leak’ outside the Cadbury factory in Bournville.

The fire service have confirmed around 800 people have been evacuated from the area as a precaution after crews were called to the scene shortly after 2pm today. 

Vans from gas distribution network Cadent could reportedly be seen parked up at the scene after a gas leak was said to have been caused by workmen accidentally damaging a pipe.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokeswoman said: ’10 firefighters remain at the Cadbury’s site, Bournville Lane, Birmingham where a mechanical digger is believed to have ruptured a gas main.

‘We’re working with gas engineers and on-site staff. Several hundred workers have been evacuated from near the leak as a precaution.’

They had earlier said: ‘The suspected gas leak appears to be near Cadbury.

‘We had a call at 14:15pm, and two crews from Kings Norton and Bournbrook were sent to the scene.

‘We are currently awaiting the arrival of gas engineers.’

Cadbury World confirmed this afternoon that the gas leak is not connected to their site.   

A spokesperson for Mondolez International, who own the Bournville site, said: ‘During routine building work at our Bournville site a third party operator damaged a gas pipe. 

‘The fire service and gas board are in attendance at the site to coordinate the repair and make sure the area is safe. 

‘As a precaution, and on the advice of emergency services, we have sent home some staff who were located in areas of the site that are in close proximity to the incident. 

‘We expect the issue to be fully resolved and normal service resumed by tomorrow.’

They added: ‘On advice of the emergency services, Cadbury World remains open as it is located further away from the incident and therefore deemed safe.’

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