Gas supply restored to most homes

Dec 24 2008

Power has been restored to most of the homes homes left without gas since Monday, National Grid said.

Homes in the Rossendale area of Lancashire were left without fuel after a gas main ruptured.

Many families feared being unable to cook their Christmas Day turkey. The incident also knocked out electricity to 30,000 homes in the area but United Utilities restored supplies on Monday night.

National Grid pledged residents would be reconnected on Christmas Eve by its army of up to 300 engineers.

Jon Butterworth, National Grid's director of operations, said: "We're saying our target is later this evening. Everybody who is in will be connected. If they're not in there's not a lot we can do about it. We're doing everything possible to get them turned on."

By 4pm around 9,000 homes had been reconnected, National Grid said.

A spokeswoman later said all the affected homes had been visited by an engineer. National Grid said there were around 2,500 properties where engineers have been unable to gain access.

Most of the engineers are returning to their own homes for Christmas with around 65 staying on until Christmas morning when a third round of visits will take place. Those addresses which remain empty will then have a card placed through the door advising the occupant of the situation and asking them to contact the company for re-connection.

Householders displayed true British spirit in the face of adversity. Pat Holden, 63, lives with her Persian cats Ocean, Sky and Keira in a flat on Lomas Lane, Rawtenstall. The former shoe factory worker, who has suffered two heart attacks and had a heart bypass operation, had her gas switched back.

She said: "The first night was a bit miserable because it was really cold. It were a godsend when the electric came back on because that meant I've got a microwave, toaster and kettle and I've been boiling hot water to keep clean. My ex-husband brought me a heater and it was warm last night. I can have a bath tonight, that's what I've missed most. It's the Dunkirk spirit, you just get on with it."