Melb main fixed after gas-cloud evacuation

Residents are returning to their homes after authorities fixed a ruptured gas main in Melbourne that produced in a large gas cloud.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade at midday on Tuesday announced the gas leak was under control.

Homes were earlier evacuated and traffic diverted as firefighters used water sprays to disperse the dangerous cloud and the gas company worked to fix the 65-millimetre wide pipe.

The Linacre Street main was damaged by a worker using machinery shortly before 9am on Tuesday.

Twenty-two firefighters attended the major incident.