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.
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The pipeline was repaired by Bord Gáis engineers within two hours and the area was declared safe.