BUSINESSES and houses were evacuated, and a large cordon set up following a gas leak.

Two fire crews from Dunmow and one from Stansted were called to the incident last night at about 5pm.

Firefighters headed to Dunmow Road in Takeley after a two vehicle road traffic collision where one of the vehicles collided with a gas main.

A 100-metre cordon was set up in the area, with the public advised to avoid the area while crews dealt with the incident.

As well as this, six businesses and two houses within a 50-metre cordon were evacuated as a safety precaution.

The road was closed between the Takeley traffic lights and the Four Ashes Pub.

Cadence Gas were also in attendance, as they needed to dig up the road to access the mains.

Crews remained at the scene for safety precautions until the gas supply has been turned off.

Fire crews confirmed they left the scene in the care of Cadent Gas at about 7.30pm.