24 May 2024 , 14:56
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Shoppers have been warned to avoid an area of the town centre in Durham after an "underground explosion" was reported.
Emergency crews were called out to the area at around 12.30pm today after the explosion under a pavement. A police cordon was out in place and parts of the pavements were damaged during the incident.
The fire service have described the explosion as "small". Nobody has been injured. The Chronicle Live understands the explosion is likely to have been caused by a gas or electrical fault.
A post on the Durham Constabulary Facebook page read: "Police were called to Durham City shortly after 12.30pm today following what appears to be an underground explosion. Pavements were damaged during the incident in North Road, but there are no reports of any injuries.
An area has been cordoned off (Rosie Wilkinson/PA Wire)"A cordon is currently in place between Framwellgate Bridge and North Road and shoppers are asked to avoid the area. Officers and firefighters from County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service are currently at the scene making the area safe."
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A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 12.34pm today (May 24) to reports of a small explosion under the pavement on North Road in Durham city centre.
"Crews from Durham Fire Station are currently at the scene and have cordoned off the area until the gas and electric board arrive.