Gas leak hits Shepparton’s CBD, closing off Maude St Mall

By Youssef Saudie

Feb 24, 2022

A gas leak in Shepparton’s Maude St Mall on Thursday morning resulted in an evacuation of the area for about two hours.

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The News understands a subcontractor excavating the ground hit a gas pipe at about 8am, causing gas to escape.

The leak was initially labelled as ‘hazardous material’ by the Vic Emergency app, but was changed to an ‘explosive hazard’ warning until the gas was eventually shut off.

Emergency services and gas workers were on the scene for several hours.

Fire Rescue Victoria Senior Station Officer Paul McKendrick said the mall was evacuated, although some shopkeepers isolated in their stores.

Closed off: People were advised to not enter the Maude St Mall while the gas leak was being fixed. Photo by Youssef Saudie

The Deck manager Madeline Watts said police advised her to evacuate the venue earlier this morning.

Ms Watts also works at nightclub Downtown and said when she checked inside, the smell of gas downstairs was “really bad”, so she went back outside.

She said it delayed her in setting up The Deck, and described the leak as “very serious”.

A spokesman for gas operator APA Group told The News: “APA Group crews safely repaired the gas leak on Maude St, Shepparton, this morning after a third party contractor conducting works damaged the gas main about 8.30am.”

The spokesman said the pipeline was repaired at about 11.30am and thanked ”the emergency services and the community for their support in response to this incident”.