A couple were evacuated from their home and several residents were told to stay indoors with their windows shut after a truck punctured an underground gas tank.
Workmen were at the house in Dornoch to fill the hole round the newly-installed tank – but due to the recent dry weather, the ground caved in and the dumper truck hit the tank, causing a leak.
Emergency services and gas engineers were called – but all the experts could do was wait for the 132 gallons of gas to disperse.
Meanwhile, the road was closed and police and fire crews were on scene during the day to enforce the exclusion zone and reassure locals.
The homeowner, who asked not to be named, said: “Around 8.30am builders were coming to fill around the pit we have for our gas tank and unfortunately with the dry conditions we’ve been having, the ground gave way.
“Thankfully nobody has been injured. My husband told me we would have to get out after receiving advice from the builder.”
A police cordon of 110 yards was put in place to ensure the safety of the public as the gas engineer allowed the remaining gas to vent off.
It was estimated that 132 gallons of gas were present in the 460 gallon tank.
Adam Currie, a local resident, said: “The nurse coming to see my grandad told me the road was shut, but I didn’t see what went on.”
The bucket of the dumper truck remained on top of the gas tank as it vented to ensure no sparks were created.
Residents were asked to remain indoors or to stay away from the scene as the gas dispersed. Local children at Dornoch Primary and Secondary Schools were advised to stay away from the playing fields adjacent to the property.
A spokesman for Calor Gas said: “I can confirm that the incident in Dornoch does involve a Calor Gas underground tank which had recently been installed.
“We have an engineer on site who is working with the fire brigade to resolve the situation.
“At the moment the construction vehicle involved in the incident is lying on top of the exposed tank and the first objective is to remove the vehicle so that the leak can be fixed.
“Gas detectors are being used to monitor the immediate area to help ensure safety.
“We will continue to cooperate with the emergency services until the incident has been resolved.”
Residents with urgent medical appointments were given an escort by police officers.
A Global Port Services crane arrived on scene at 3.20pm to remove the dumper truck from the gas cylinder.
Two fire fighters in breathing apparatus hosed down the gas cylinder as the crane lifted the machine out of the pit.
A police officer confirmed the tank had been removed – however, the cordon remained in place until the gas engineer was able to ensure the public’s safety.