{"id":1767,"date":"2018-02-15T04:34:29","date_gmt":"2018-02-15T04:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themooraboolnews.com.au\/?p=1767"},"modified":"2024-02-02T17:23:55","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T06:23:55","slug":"explosion-in-maddingley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/themooraboolnews\/news\/explosion-in-maddingley\/","title":{"rendered":"Explosion in Maddingley"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Jessica Howard<\/strong><\/p>\n

UPDATE 8:25am<\/strong>
\nThe gas leak located in the vicinity of Osborne Street, Maddingley was identified by authorities at around 10:30pm last night. The situation was rectified and traffic management points were removed. <\/p>\n

Residents previously affected have returned to their homes.<\/p>\n

The schools affected by the incident will open as usual this morning. <\/p>\n

If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to chemical or smoke exposure, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024. <\/p>\n

Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call triple zero (000). <\/p>\n

Earlier<\/strong>
\nA teenager has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following an explosion near Osborne Street in Maddingley. <\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria said the male teenager arrived to Bacchus Marsh Hospital shortly after 1:30pm and was transported to the Alfred Hospital with burn injuries. <\/p>\n

While the circumstances of the explosion are yet to be established, a Victoria Police spokesperson said it is believed a gas pipe may have been ruptured, causing a small explosion. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe incident has led to a secondary explosion on nearby Griffith Street,\u201d the spokesperson said. <\/p>\n

\u201cPolice are currently evacuating the area as a precaution and street closures are in place. Motorists are urged to avoid the area\u201d. <\/p>\n

Providence Nursing Home, Bacchus Marsh Grammar and Bacchus Marsh Secondary College have all been evacuated. <\/p>\n

A second male is believed to have been hospitalised after suffering minor injuries. <\/p>\n

A male witness, located in Smith Street at the time of the incident, said he heard a series of loud bangs. <\/p>\n

“I thought it was an accident at a nearby workshop, only to walk out the front and see the manhole out the front of the cafe on the corner of Smith and Griffith pop up [from pressure],” he said.<\/p>\n

Residents have taken to social media to express their concerns, with a Moore Street resident saying the noise of the explosion was “the scariest sound ever”. <\/p>\n

“We heard it all the way in Darley,” another resident said. <\/p>\n

WorkSafe has been notified of the incident. Fire crews will continue to investigate and monitor the conditions. <\/p>\n

For those who have been evacuated, Moorabool Shire Council has opened a relief centre at the Lerdederg Library, 215 Main Street Bacchus Marsh. <\/p>\n