A natural gas leak at a closed liquid fuel station in Piraeus set off an alarm this morning, shutting down traffic and prompting the precautionary evacuation of nearby apartment buildings.

Authorities say the leak was found at a shuttered station near the intersection of Omiridou Skylitsi and Pythagora streets. Fire Service crews rushed to the scene, and the relevant gas company has also been notified.

Traffic has been halted in two spots: on Omiridou Skylitsi Street from Grigoriou Lambraki Street, and on 34th Syntagmatos Pezikou Street from Distomou Street.

The area has been cordoned off as a safety precaution.