Colleges and businesses have been evacuated after fears of a major gas leak in North Lanarkshire.
Concerns were raised at around 10am today when residents posted on social media about a 'strong smell of gas' detected throughout Cumbernauld.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are currently in attendance at Wardpark Industrial Estate in response to the suspected gas leak, while gas network SGN say engineers are on site carrying out an investigation into the incident.
New College Lanarkshire Campus as well as the Job Centre, Farmfoods and Royal Mail sorting office, all situated on Muirhead Road, are understood to have been evacuated as a result of the ongoing event. It is also believed pupils at Greenfaulds High School on Auchenkilns Road have been told to vacate the premises.
Residents have been told to keep their windows shut and stay indoors while enquiries continue. Anyone that smells gas in the area is being urged to report it and turn their gas off at the mains until an engineer has inspected the area.
Many in the town are growing worried, however, with one local saying they thought the gas leak was in their own home before stepping outside.
The woman, who lives on Tarbolton Road, told the Record: "My husband noticed the smell this morning and at first assumed it was coming from our flat but when he went outside, he noticed it was stronger in the street.
"We closed all the windows to block the smell. Since then I have contacted SGN to report this. This is the second time this has happened. It also happened in November 2021."
Another explained: "I'm not sure anyone knows what's going on, SGN haven't gave any updates. It appears they've had over 500 calls from all over Cumbernauld, Kildrum, Seafar, Condoratt, Westfield, Eastfield, the village and Abronhill, so it must be bad.
"People are saying it's Wardpark, but I think it's a gas escape opposite Cumbernauld Academy near the new sub station. But I'm as clueless as everyone else."
A SGN spokesperson said: "We’ve received a number of calls regarding a smell in the air, initially in the Cumbernauld area this morning, and subsequently in the Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch areas. We believe we have located the source of the smell and are working with the third party to resolve the issue on their site.
"There’s nothing so far to suggest the smell came from our gas network. We don’t believe there is a safety risk as there have been no recorded gas readings. We will continue to visit all jobs, but due to the extremely high volume of reports this may take longer than usual.
"However, we would always recommend that anyone who can smell gas should call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999."
Adam Smith, SNP Councillor for Cumbernauld East, commented: "I have been made aware of a strong smell of gas in the Kildrum area this morning and have contacted Scotland Gas Networks (SGN). They advise engineers are on their way to Cumbernauld now to establish the problem and consider what repairs may be required.
"Reports of gas have come from in and around Tarbolton Road and SGN has assigned the reference W119113240. I will share any further updates once SGN are aware of the cause and any required repair works."
A NCL spokesperson wrote: "Please note that our Cumbernauld Campus will be closed for the remainder of the day due to a gas leak being identified.
"All classes have been cancelled for the day and an update regarding arrangements for tomorrow will be issued later this afternoon. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: “We were alerted at 10.50am on Monday, 28 November to reports of a gas leak at Wardpark Industrial Estate, Cumbernauld.
"Operations Control mobilised one fire appliance and crews are currently in attendance at the scene."
