Gas pipeline fire in Prague’s Holešovice contained

A gas pipeline caught fire around 2 p.m. on Tuesday in Dobrovského Street in Prague’s Holešovice district, with flames spreading to the facade of two residential buildings. Firefighters declared a high-level alert and evacuated people from nearby buildings.

The accident was caused when construction workers damaged a gas pipeline during excavation work, according to the gas distribution company Pražská plynárenská Distribuce.

Firefighters could not extinguish the blaze until the gas supply was shut off because of the risk of an explosion. Gas technicians eventually stopped the leak, and the fire was contained at around 5 p.m.

Traffic in the area was restricted and tram services in the neighbourhood were diverted. Paramedics were also at the scene but reported no injuries.