EIGHTEEN people had to be evacuated from their homes in Plaw Hatch Close on Sunday night after a gas leak was discovered.

Police were alerted at about 10.25pm by a resident who had smelt gas. Bishop's Stortford firefighters entered the home wearing breathing apparatus, and with the help of gas company Transco, the leak was stopped.

East Herts Police spokeswoman Annabel Coakley said: "We didn't need to rehouse any residents because Transco dealt with the leak very quickly. Residents were back in their homes within the hour."

* A 44-YEAR-OLD from Bishop's Stortford was arrested in connection with the incident, on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

He has been bailed to return to the police station on August 14.~

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