Dozens of homes and businesses in Ennis, Co Clare were evacuated after a gas leak at a construction site this afternoon.
A section of pipe carrying gas was ruptured accidentally during construction of the Ennis bypass.
Gardaí closed a stretch of road between Ennis and Clarecastle while fire services and officers from the Health and Safety Authority attended the scene. Motorists were diverted away from the area.
A number of people were treated for gas inhalation. None is thought to be seriously injured.
The pipeline was repaired by Bord Gáis engineers within two hours and the area was declared safe.
