A NUMBER of homes were evacuated after a car careered into a house and caused a gas leak.

Firefighters were called to the incident in Coleridge Square, Bridgwater, at 4.22pm today (Saturday).

The car had driven into the front of the terraced house and hit a gas main on the property, leading to the leak.

A specialist hazardous materials advisor was sent to assist firefighters along with an environmental protection unit from Taunton Fire Station.

On discovering "a substantial gas leak", gas engineers were requested, while fire crews evacuated adjacent homes that could be affected by the gas.

Firefighters remained on the scene, using a hose reel to mist the gas cloud and prevent escalation.

Once the gas was isolated fire crews left duty of care in the hands of the gas engineers and the landlord of the house.