Understand
Ilminster Carnival stopped midway through procession due to gas leak
Overview
The Ilminster Carnival in Somerset was halted mid-procession on Saturday evening after a gas leak was discovered near the start of the route. Organisers cancelled the remainder of the event at 20:55 BST to ensure public safety. Emergency services and the gas company attended the scene to handle the situation and carry out repairs.
Key points
- The Ilminster Carnival procession was stopped midway on Saturday due to a gas leak near the start of the route.
- Organisers made the decision to cancel the remainder of the event at 20:55 BST, prioritising public safety.
- Fire crews arrived at the scene by 20:20 BST following the first report of a suspected leak at around 20:00 BST.
- The gas company attended to perform emergency repairs after the cancellation.
- Participants, organisers, and local groups expressed disappointment over the cancellation while acknowledging that safety must come first.