UPDATED 5.26PM People are allowed home again after more than 50 houses were evacuated following a gas main explosion in Wellington.

Emergency services were called to Churton Park at around 1.30 this afternoon, after workers digging in the area hit gas mains, sparking a leak and then a scrub fire.

The explosion happened on Westchester Drive opposite Furlong Crescent - and residents as far back as Abilene Crescent were evacuated as a precaution.

Cordons set up around the area have been lifted.

No one was injured.