By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A GAS leak forced a Pakenham childcare centre into an evacuation last week.
More than 100 children were evacuated from Eclipse Early Education at 12.40pm on Thursday, after a “large volume” of natural gas was released from a burst pipe nearby, according to Senior Sergeant Nathan Prowd from Pakenham police.
The children, who evacuated to Lakeside as per the centre’s emergency plan, returned to the centre just over an hour later after ambulance and CFA members had secured the scene.
Sen Sgt Prowd said the leak was caused by a ruptured underground pipe on Gertrude Lane close to the centre.
“A worker was digging fence post poles which has ruptured a gas pipe,” he said.
He said the 101 children under the centre’s supervision were unharmed.
