Hundreds of shoppers have been evacuated after a major gas leak near Chadstone Shopping Centre.
Construction works at the site ruptured a gas main in the car park at the south-west end of the centre, forcing 1500 people to evacuate the centre.
The Metropolitan Fire Brigade were alerted to the leak about 10.30am on Friday.
Emergency services including police and fire fighters are currently on the scene and are urging people to avoid the area.
A spokesman for Chadstone Shopping Centre said the evacuation was a precautionary measure.
“The safety of customers and retail staff is not at risk but is always the centre’s first priority in handling any event,” the spokesman said.
The leak has also affected traffic, with Dandenong Road closed between Chadstone Road and Malvern roads.
This story first appeared in The Age.
