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Gas leak diverts marathon route Gas leak diverts marathon route
(20 minutes later)
The London Marathon has had to be rerouted 200m after a gas leak near Canary Wharf. The London Marathon has had to be rerouted 200m after a gas leak in a pub in south-east London.
The leak in south-east London is said to be serious enough to force the change for remaining runners. The leak in the Old Rose Pub on The Highway, Wapping, is said to be serious enough to force the change at the 13 mile point for remaining runners.
London Fire Brigade said it was called at 0950 BST to The Highway near Wapping. Part of the road remains closed as Transco investigates. London Fire Brigade said it was called at 0950 BST to reports of a strong smell of gas.
The marathon began about 0830 BST from Blackheath in south-east London and finishes on The Mall, central London. Spectator have been moved and parts of the road closed as Transco investigates the leak.
Precautionary measure
The pub has also been taped off by police as the route was moved from one side of the Highway carriage to the other.
A spokeswoman for Transco said the gas escape is internal and should not pose a risk to the Marathon route.
However, it was decided to change the course as a precautionary measure.
The 2008 London Marathon began on Sunday morning from south-east London and finishes on The Mall, central London.