Shoppers forced to evacuate after Miranda gas leak
About 1000 Sydney shoppers have been forced to evacuate following a gas leak at a mall in the city's south.
It's understood a gas main was ruptured at a construction site at Miranda Westfield, some time before 2pm on Thursday afternoon.
Pictures captured by the 7News helicopter show people gathering at a nearby park.
A school has also been evacuated, with a 50 metre exclusion zone in place.
Motorists are being asked to avoid the area with Wandella Road closed between President Avenue and Kingsway.
Diversions are in place via Kiora Road.
MIRANDA: #Kingsway closed btn Sylvania Rd & Wandella Rd due to gas leak. Motorists, use Kiora Rd and President Ave instead. Expect delays.
— Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) June 26, 2014
#FRNSW at a gas leak at a construction site at #Miranda. Approx 1000 ppl evac'd from a shopping centre. 50m excl'n zone in place.
— Fire & Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) June 26, 2014
Mail centre evacuated over 'suspicious substance'
It comes after the Australia Post Centre in Sydney's south-west was been evacuated after reports of a suspicious substance.
Authorities were alerted to reports of a liquid inside a package at Ingleburn, around 10am on Thursday morning.
Postal workers were ordered to leave the building on Macdonald Road, and police assisted with evacuations.
A Hazmat team helped secure the area and examined the the package, which was later declared safe.
Australia Post staff were allowed back inside after about 30 minutes.
