A gas main has been hit during a car crash in Stonehaven.
The car involved crashed into two other cars which were parked on Market Square.
A 63-year-old man has now been charged in connection with the incident, which happened as the driver was reportedly leaving the car park.
Emergency services were called to the scene where officers closed the road between the junctions to Margaret Street and Evan Street.
Market Square has since reopened.
SGN engineers attended to make the area safe and will replace the damaged gas pipe this afternoon.
A police spokeswoman said: “At around 10.10am on Tuesday, December 13, we were called to a report of a car crashing into two stationary vehicles at Market Square, Stonehaven.
“Emergency services attended and a small number of properties and shops were evacuated temporarily due to a damaged gas pipe. The area was made safe by gas engineers.
“A 63-year-old man has been charged in connection with the incident and is subject of a report to the procurator fiscal.”
Fire crews were also in attendance with one pump until about 11.45am.
Businesses and properties evacuated
A number of businesses and properties in the area were temporarily evacuated as a precaution.
Charles Michies Pharmacy, on Market Square, shared a post on social media saying it will be closed until further notice due to the evacuation.
The Coop store on the street also had to close its doors with staff welcomed into nearby Pinky Promise cafe to shield from the cold weather.
The cafe manager, Michaela, said: “Two ladies came in and told us what had happened and then the girls from the Co-op, some of our regulars, came in when they were evacuated to get some coffee and stay in from the cold.
“I think the chemist and everyone else on the street was evacuated.”
Gas distribution company SGN confirmed the service pipe for one business would need to be replaced.
Bradley Barlow, spokesman for SGN, said: “Earlier today, three vehicles were hit as a driver exited the Market Square car park in Stonehaven, with one vehicle striking our gas network.
“An engineer quickly arrived on site and made the situation safe. We will be working to replace the service pipe to one business this afternoon.”
