Emergency services rushed to Tontine Street in Folkestone today (May 5) following reports of a gas leak, prompting a significant response and the closure of the road for several hours.
Police, ambulance, and fire crews were deployed to the scene by 11:30 am to address the situation, which centred around The Buoy Belgian Bar.
One local resident, Stephanie Jay Fox, took to Facebook to report, “I reported the smell of gas in my building before I left this morning,” indicating the concern raised by members of the community before the emergency services’ arrival.
Bus services operated by Stagecoach were impacted by the road closure, with Dover-bound services being diverted through The Health Centre and Grove Road. Buses travelling towards Folkestone were rerouted via Canterbury Road and Black Bull Road as alternative routes.
Fortunately, all emergency crews have since vacated the area, and the road was reopened to traffic by 12:30 pm, allowing normality to resume in the affected area.
Further details regarding the incident, including the cause of the gas leak and any potential consequences, are being sought from both the emergency services and gas company SGN.