Emergency services are still on the scene of a gas leak in East Maitland.
Crews were called to Quarry Street just before 9am this morning where its reported excavation workers ruptured a 110mm medium pressure gas main.
An exclusion zone was put in place 100m around the worksite, and 17 people were evacuated - they've now been able to return.
Around 30 firefighters were on site in breathing apparatuses and there were high gas readings within the exclusion zone.
Repairs to the gas main did require further excavations which are still underway.
Energy Australia were called to the site as well with around 290 homes also having their power cut as a precaution.
