FIRE CHIEFS today issued a "don't panic" plea to residents after around 6,000 litres of petrol leaked from a petrol station in Haslingden.

But at the same time, police stressed the need for safety precautions until the leak is cleared up.

The petrol is believed to have leaked from a fractured underground tank at the Abacus filling station in Manchester Road.

The leak, described as "substantial", affected a square mile area between Park Avenue and Manchester Road.

The Environment Agency, which is investigating, says it has leaked into surrounding ground and into an underground section of Langwood Brook, a tributary of the River Irwell.

Police said the fire brigade had the situation under control and it is not expected to get any worse, but are advising residents to take precautions if they smell petrol around their property.

Fire crews were working at the Abacus filling station on Manchester Road. District officer John Sanderson said the area where there are many homes was not being evacuated.

"If anyone smells petrol fumes in their home they should extinguish all naked flames and pilot lights, open doors and windows, do NOT turn on or off any light switches or sockets, and call the fire brigade."

Teams of firefighters from Burnley, Accrington and Rossendale were ventilating drains in the area and no-smoking signs have been put up on surrounding roads and streets.

Mr Sanderson said the public was not at risk but Helen Smith, from the Environment Agency, said the drains in the area ran into Langwood Brook, a tributary of the Irwell.

She could not rule out harm to fish and other creatures.

Most of the petrol had gone through the drainage system, though small pockets would remain in the ground.

Householders first raised the alarm after smelling fumes in their homes.

Mr Sanderson appealed to the public to be careful not to throw cigarette ends into drains until the all-clear was given. Firefighters with special detection equipment would continue checking fume levels until the area was clear.

He added: "Petrol is always potentially dangerous but we've only detected it at dangerous levels in one house and a culvert.

The Environment Agency is working closely with the fire brigade and Rossendale Borough Council, and will supervise a clean-up of the brook and affected land by specialist contractors.

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