Gas leak forces closure of Pear Tree service station (From Oxford Mail)
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Gas leak forces closure of Pear Tree service station
9:40am Monday 19th November 2012 in News
By Freddie Whittaker, covering Politics and Kidlington. Call me on 01865 425498
Police cars and a fire engine at the entrance to the Pear Tree services during the incident
DRIVERS were stranded for several hours at a service station in Oxford after a gas leak.
Police sealed off the Pear Tree services at the junction of the A44 Woodstock Road and the A34 shortly after 3pm yesterday.
Customers at the service station said they were not allowed to start their engines to leave the area, and new customers were turned away at the entrance.
The shutdown followed a leak from the gas tank of an LPG-powered vehicle.
The services reopened at about 5.15pm, but the fuel forecourt remained closed for some time.
Bus users were also kept waiting after drivers stopped dropping off and picking up passengers at the neighbouring park-and-ride centre, instead turning round on a nearby slip road.
dowhatyoulike says...
10:11am Mon 19 Nov 12
vistors in town were told by the bus drivers the bus was not going to the park and ride, so they did not get on at all.
In fact the bus stopped just outside the park and ride.
We were told it was very dangerous and we were not to start our cars as it would cause an explosion.
So the seriousness was taken on board, however if there was fear of an explosion why was the following allowed
People sat in the welcome break opposite the petrol station...oh and sat next to glass windows!!!
The travelodge and holiday inn were not evacuated either
The road was left open, and cause for thought if someone driving past disgarded a cigarette then what would of happened!!!!???
Needless to say we left all in one piece, the petrol station is still in tact and no one died......but talk about excessive attendance, I counted at least 4 or 5 police cars, ambulance, fire services, AA, RAC.....
Sods law, was a day I managed to finish work early after a 8 hour day (yes, on a Sunday), and this happens!!!!