Sergeant Harrison was in charge of the scene when Coronation Street was closed off and evacuated after a gas leak at No.1 in March 1973. The sergeant acted quickly, ordering his officers to put diversion signs at either end to keep traffic away and get onto a gas board man, and getting the keys to the Community Centre from Emily Bishop to begin an immediate evacuation. His swift action upset at least one resident - Elsie Howard, who had just washed her hair and was forced to leave the house with her hair in a towel. After a few hours, they were given the all-clear and the residents were allowed to return to their homes.