Street closed off after gas leak

The gas main caught on fire on Portland Street

A section of road in Lincoln has been closed after a gas main ruptured and caught fire.

Portland Street was cordoned off and diversions put in place on Monday afternoon.

Fire crews and National Grid engineers were called to the scene and have been allowing the gas to burn off.

Sarah Wilcox from National Grid said engineers were working closely with the fire brigade to extinguish the blaze. No-one was has been injured.

Eyewitness Ryan Butcher said the flames were leaping "high in the air" and could be seen from the end of the High Street.

A rest centre was set up at the Salvation Army for the 50 people who were evacuated.

Diversions were expected to remain in place for several hours.