The emergency services were called to the Jersey Gas site in Tunnell Street at about 12.30 pm after flames began pouring out of the side of the drum.
Schools, offices and shops across St Helier, including the Co-op Grande Marché, Highlands College and Cyril Le Marquand House, were evacuated and the Fire and Rescue Service asked people to avoid the area, including the eastern ring-road. Extra crews were called in to deal with the blaze. Buses to the Five Oaks area were cancelled.
Jersey Gas said that the fire was under control and that there was an ‘extremely low risk’ of the situation escalating.
In a statement, the company said: ‘Jersey Gas is currently working with emergency services and the situation is currently under control.
‘There have been no casualties and the surrounding area has been evacuated. The holder provides back up gas and there is currently no risk of supplies being affected.
‘There is an extremely low risk of the situation escalating. Two employees have attended the hospital for a check-up.’
Schools and the Jersey Academy of Dancing have been evacuated and pupils are gathering at various locations. The Police are asking parents to pick up children as soon as possible but to avoid the ring road if possible.
The locations are as follows:
De La Salle to Bagatelle Lane football pitch
Victoria College Prep to Heathfield, Mont Millais
Victoria College to Heathfield, Mont Millais
Beaulieu to Heathfield, Mont Millais
Springfield to D’Auvergne School
Janvrin to D’Auvergne School
Petite Ecole to D’Auvergne
Other schools have not moved but FCJ say parents can pick children up early if necessary.
Connex have advised the following school bus services will run as normal (although there may be delays due to traffic)
Haute Vallée
Grainville
FCJ
Le Rocquier
Les Quennevais
The other school buses that depart from Mont Millais or Wellington Road will now depart from JCG car park at 3.45 pm (subject to traffic). Schools affected:
De La Salle
Beaulieu
JCG
Victoria College
Hautlieu
Have you got pics or video of the fire? If so, share them with us, below, or email them to us at news@jerseyeveningpost.com
• Full report and more pictures in Thursday’s Jersey Evening Post
