Gas leak in L'Hospitalet leaves ten families unable to return home

A gas leak in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, just outside Barcelona, on Wednesday morning has left ten families unable to return to their homes.

Firefighters received the alert shortly before 11 am, when street works on Natzaret Street accidentally punctured a gas line, causing a minor explosion.

Immediate evacuations were ordered, affecting over 500 residents, a nearby bar, and a school due to the high risk posed by the leak.

While such incidents usually involve home confinement, this time a full evacuation was necessary because of the risk of explosions.

The leak was detected at a junction connecting high, medium, and low-pressure pipelines, making it impossible for the gas company to shut off just one line.

It took firefighters more than six hours to contain the leak, during which very hazardous gas levels were recorded.

By 6 pm, the leak had been controlled, but authorities still had to check gas levels in homes, basements, and the sewer system.

A few hours later, firefighters confirmed that there were no remaining gas accumulations in the affected area.

Most residents were able to return to their homes, except for ten families who will have to wait several days before re-entering.

The structure of the building remains intact, but some parts of the property were damaged, including the electrical system.

Apartments have missing doors, damaged elevator doors, fallen cables, broken installations, and shattered windows.

The wall separating the bar next to the building, where the explosion originated, collapsed completely, making it unsafe for inhabitants to live there.

On Thursday morning, residents were allowed to enter their homes in pairs to collect essential items and medication.