People reported a "gas like smell" many times over the past year at a building that was evacuated due to a gas leak yesterday.
Emergency services were called to St Hugh's House on Stanley Road, Bootle at around 12.45pm on Thursday (April 27). Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS), Merseyside Police and gas company Cadent attended a report of an explosion risk, due to a gas leak in the building.
On arrival, MFRS crews found a failed gas main. Police installed a 50 metre cordon and evacuated St Hugh's House as well as other surrounding buildings.
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Cadent worked to access a damaged pipe and cap it. At approximately 3.50pm, the gas was isolated to the building. After two sweeps of the entire building, it was deemed safe by Cadent and MFRS crews left the scene at 5.34pm.
A person who works in St Hugh's House told the ECHO that there have been multiple complaints made to the building's owner Hurstwood Holdings about gas smells during the past year. They also said that they thought yesterday's evacuation was handled poorly, with people left unaware about what was going on.
Today, Hurstwood Holdings confirmed to the ECHO that there have been reports of a “gas like” smell in the building and area over the last year or so. The company also defended the manner in which it conducted the evacuation.
Estates Surveyor Howard Hymanson said: "I would firstly like to confirm that the safety of our customers, tenants, visitors and indeed on site staff is of paramount importance and we pride ourselves on our excellent Health and Safety record across of Nationwide portfolio of in excess of 150 sites.
"I can confirm that there have been reports of a “gas like” smell in the building and area over the last year or so. Whenever this has been reported or noticed by our on site staff, it has reported to the appropriate contractors/engineers and checked thoroughly. We take any reports of this nature extremely seriously and ensure our staff act quickly and diligently.
"With regards to the evacuation, this was wholly unexpected, to be fair to the on site staff. They were reliant on information from both the Emergency Services and Cadent and ensured as soon as they received any information, this was passed on to all tenants. As you can imagine, this is an unprecedented incident that I believe was handled efficiently and sympathetically. I have received a number of positive emails to this end, which I would be happy to share with you. Annemarie and Paul, who were on site yesterday ensured that they emailed all occupants on an hourly basis to keep them updated, even it was just to say that there was no further news.
"I would like to take the opportunity to praise Annemarie and Paul with how an extremely difficult situation was handled. Indeed, Annemarie went above and beyond and ensured that all occupants of the building were fully informed at all times, she gave them her personal mobile number in case they had any concerns and works a number of extra hours in the evening to ensure everything was safe and the building was able to be occupied as normal today.
"I would also like to inform you that the leak is a wider issue in the Bootle area and is not isolated to St Hugh's House or as a result of St Hugh's House itself. Indeed, there is a large emergency service presence in the area today along with a number of engineers from Cadent, addressing gas smells in the local area and neighbouring buildings."
A Cadent spokesperson told the ECHO that they have returned to the area today to finish the repair at St Hugh's House. Yesterday, engineers made the pipe safe and today they are working to install new pipe work at the building.
Additionally, Cadent has found nothing to indicate that smells in the area today are a result of gas.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service have been contacted for comment.
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