ESSEX Firefighters evacuated 20 homes in East Tilbury after a gas leak.

A van struck a gas pipe in Bata Avenue on Thursday at 10.50am, causing it to split.

Crews evacuated 20 homes and put a 100-metre cordon in place until gas engineers arrived to make the pipe safe, at 11.27am.

No-one needed medical attention and residents were allowed to return to their homes.