A GAS MAIN was severed when a 4x4 slipped off an icy road and crashed into the front of a house. Families living nearby and drinkers from the Eastbrook pub had to be evacuated as the potentially deadly gas leaked into the air. Fire-fighters and police wer

A GAS MAIN was severed when a 4x4 slipped off an icy road and crashed into the front of a house.

Families living nearby and drinkers from the Eastbrook pub had to be evacuated as the potentially deadly gas leaked into the air.

Fire-fighters and police were called to the scene of the accident at the corner of Belhurst Crescent and Rainham Road South on Sunday night.

It was around 10.30pm on February 1 when the vehicle skidded due to heavy snowfall and crashed.

Officers ushered 10 terrified residents from their homes who had to wait in the snow for the gas board to arrive.

The area was closed off for an hour while the emergency services worked to control the situation.

Fire officer, Graham Beers, said: "The vehicle skidded off the road and crashed into the front of a shop severing the gas main."

Gas board engineers arrived at the scene shortly after 11pm and the leak was repaired.