Update on Wick 'gas leak' – no danger to public after electrical fault found
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What was initially thought to be a gas leak in Wick that led to an area being cordoned off has turned out to be an electrical fault that poses no danger to the public.
Emergency crews were seen at an area near the town's Coop store this morning and police cordoned off the area after an apparent gas leak was observed at the junction of Barbara Place and Thurso Road.
In a social media update Police Scotland wrote: "Officers, along with partner agencies, have deemed the reported gas leak in Wick today to be an electrical fault and there is no risk to the public.
"The cordon has been removed and the roads have been re-opened. There may be minor disruption on Barbara Place as the fault is repaired. We want to thank to local community for their patience whilst enquiries were carried out."
By around 11am, all streets in the affected area were open apart from Barbara Place.
It remained closed to vehicles and pedestrians, with roadworks taking place near the junction with Thurso Street. Vehicles from GMR Henderson, Scottish Gas Networks and highway maintenance were present.
One resident of a nearby street said his power had gone off shortly after the roads were closed and had still not been restored. He said there had been fluctuations in the supply prior to that.
He added: "We've been given no information."
Two other residents said they had experienced fluctuations in their electricity over the past week and wondered if the problem was an electrical fault.
