A BABY girl born in the middle of an evacuation following a gas leak at a residential street in Wyke, is now back home.

Kimberley Dixon went into labour with her second child four days early only hours after being evacuated from their Temperance Field home, in Wyke.

A serious gas leak reported by Emma Taylor, a neighbour of Miss Dixon and her partner Andrew Abraham on Friday night meant four families had to leave the properties immediately.

“It was all a bit of a rush but we knew it was a potentially dangerous situation where gas is involved,” said Miss Dixon, 29, who also has a son, Ethan, aged six.

“We were told at around 11pm on Friday that we had to go to a hotel. Then in the night I went into labour so Andy and I went to the hospital and Isabella was born at 4.30am on Saturday weighing 6lbs 12oz.

“When we were asked to vacate the house again and go back to the hotel on Saturday the staff there were really shocked.

“They saw me the day before, pregnant, and now I had a baby.

“I would much have preferred her to have spent her first night in this world in her own home but realise how dangerous gas leaks are.

“I hadn’t smelt anything so want to thank Emma for raising the alarm.

“She is a really great neighbour.”

Ms Taylor who phoned Northern Gas Networks as soon as she realised there was a gas leak added: “There was a very strong smell of gas coming from my cellar. I contacted the gas people straight and they were fantastic. They came out within half and hour and said the readings were massive. It was a big leak and they said we had to move out.

“There were six houses which needed evacuating but only four were occupied.

“I went to my mum’s with my 18-year-old son the first night.

“The gas engineers then dug my garden up and let us back in on Saturday but then found another problem and we had to move out again.

“We just went straight to Jurys Inn. It was late at night and we were all exhausted.

“I felt most sorry for my neighbours and their new baby. She didn’t even get to spend her first night in her own home but in a hotel but a couple of nights being evacuated is far better than losing your home in a gas explosion.

“The gas situation now is that engineers have capped off the leak now so we are able to use the gas again.”

Anna Mycoe, Business Operational Leader at Northern Gas Networks, said: “It is so important that anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week. It is a dedicated service that will contact the relevant gas network to dispatch engineers and get to the bottom of any potential problems.”