Twenty homes have been evacuated after a gas main was pierced in Springwell Lane, Whetsone, shortly after midday.
Four fire appliances, two from Wigston, one from southern and one from Leicester's central fire station are standing by while they wait for the gas board who are working on the damaged pipe.
Police are on the scene and 20 homes nearest to the incident, which is believed to have happened during construction work in the street, have been evacuated as a precaution.
The Red Cross and a Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service command vehicle are also at the scene.
