Sat 5 Sep 2009
A gas leak has forced the evacuation of hundreds of businesses, including the Gold Coast Marriott Courtyard Hotel, in the centre of Surfers Paradise.
Thousands of holiday-makers, residents and workers have been ordered to leave Cavill Avenue, as a two-kilometre exclusion zone has been established around the retail strip.
It is understood police detected the gas leak about 9.15am and blocked off the mall from Hanlan Street, Elkhorn Avenue and Surfers Paradise Boulevard.
The gas mains has been switched off, although the Marriott Courtyard Hotel on Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Centro shopping centre on Cavill Avenue have been evacuated.
“Police ordered an evacuation as a precaution,” a Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said.
Initial reports suggest the leak may have been caused by construction works on the site of the Soul Tower.
Gas inspectors are now on site and are working to isolate the leak, believed to be from a mains pipeline located several metres from the beach end of the mall.
“Firefighters in breathing apparatus are conducting gas monitoring,” the spokeswoman said.
Traffic is flowing throughout the area, despite the road closures.
More to come…