Excavator Strikes Pipe on Kermisstraat in Roeselare, Forcing Hundreds to Evacuate

Roeselare (Eurotoday) – A construction accident in Roeselare disrupted daily life on Tuesday when an excavator hit a medium-pressure gas pipe on Kermisstraat at approximately 12:45 PM. The incident forced students at Vrije Middelbare School to remain outside during their lunch break due to safety concerns.

The excavator incident resulted in a gas leak, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of individuals at both the Vrije Middelbare School and the Centre for Adult Education (CVO). Emergency response teams acted swiftly and managed to contain the leak without any injuries. Access to the affected area was restored shortly after the gas flow was halted.

Residents in the central Roeselare district were affected by the gas leak, which occurred adjacent to both educational institutions. As a precaution, authorities restricted entry to classrooms and kept students outside following their lunch period.

Have there been prior gas leak incidents in Roeselare?

This is not the first time that Roeselare has faced safety challenges related to its underground utility infrastructure. In 2019, construction work on Ardooisestraat led to a similar rupture of a gas line, causing temporary business evacuations. Two years later, a burst water main in the city centre during roadworks caused significant traffic and business disruptions for several hours.

These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about infrastructure management and safety compliance during construction activities in the area. In response, the Roeselare Fire Department—alongside Fluvius, the gas distribution operator—has been refining emergency protocols. In 2022, a large-scale training exercise simulated a major gas pipeline rupture to improve coordination between emergency services.

Since a major evacuation caused by a 2020 gas line incident in West Flanders, Fluvius has increased supervision of excavation projects to prevent further accidents. The latest events in Kermisstraat underline the importance of continued vigilance and adherence to safety procedures in construction zones.


Comments

6 responses to “Excavator Strikes Pipe on Kermisstraat in Roeselare, Forcing Hundreds to Evacuate”

  1. Just another day in Roeselare, eh? Who needs a gas line when you’ve got an excavator giving a masterclass in ‘Oops, my bad’ during lunch hour? 🍔💨

  2. Plum Moon Avatar
    Plum Moon

    Oh, splendid! Just when you think construction in Roeselare couldn’t get any more thrilling, the excavator decides to play a game of “pin the tail on the gas pipe.” Bravo, Kermisstraat! 🎉 Who knew lunch breaks could be so… explosive? 💥

  3. goatee shield Avatar
    goatee shield

    Looks like our dear excavator got a bit too friendly with a gas pipe on Kermisstraat – who knew construction could double as an evacuation drill? 🤦‍♂️ Just what we needed: hundreds of students enjoying a prolonged outdoor lunch, because why not add a touch of chaos to their education, eh? 😂

  4. Sleek Zelda Avatar
    Sleek Zelda

    Just another day in Roeselare, where excavators have perfected the art of pipe striking—who needs a sports team when you’ve got construction drama? 😂 Hope the students enjoyed their extended outdoor lunch, nature’s way of giving them a lesson in “stay away from gas pipes”! 🍔💨

  5. BloodEater Avatar
    BloodEater

    Just another day in Roeselare, where an excavator thinks it’s auditioning for a role in a disaster film. Can’t wait for the movie premiere—“Kermisstraat: Gas Leak and the Stupid Machine”! 😂

  6. Houston Avatar

    Oh, brilliant! Nothing like a little gas leak to spice up your lunch break in Roeselare – who needs a Michelin star when you’ve got evacuation drills, right? 🍽️💨

  7. Sir Squire Avatar
    Sir Squire

    Seems like the excavator’s got a knack for socializing—nothing like a gas leak to turn a regular Tuesday into a spontaneous evacuation party! 🎉 Just what we needed, eh? 😏

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