Emergency crews have stopped a gas leak that produced a plume that was three metres high and three metres wide in Cessnock CBD on Monday morning.

Fire and Rescue NSW Station Officer Neil Lawler said the leak, at the corner of Hall and Cumberland Streets, occurred after an excavator hit a gas line under the footpath.

“There was a considerable gas leak,” he said.

“I could see a gas plume coming up out of the ground. So it was monitor the gas plume, check all the residents around, do gas readings at every residence and protect in place.

“It dispersed into the air because the wind was favourable. It’s all sorted now, it’s all plugged up.”

Cessnock Fire Brigade captain Brett Plumb said the incident highlighted the importance of “dialling before you dig”.

“It happens more often than you would think,” he said.

EARLIER:

Fire and Rescue crews are at the scene of a gas leak in the Cessnock CBD this morning.

The crews are working at the intersection of Hall and Cumberland streets and traffic is being diverted.