Gas leak closes road for three hours

A busy central Christchurch road was closed for three hours due to a burst gas main. Emergency services were called to the leak at a building on the corner of Dorset St and Victoria St, just after 2.30pm yesterday. Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Darryl Ball said two central Christchurch station crews were sent to the leak. The crews sprayed the ruptured main to prevent it from catching fire, he said. A gas contractor arrived soon after and was making repairs just before 4pm. The road was closed until 5pm. It remained unclear what caused the leak.