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Silsden gas loss: Thousands face third day without supplies Silsden gas loss: Thousands face third day without supplies
(about 2 hours later)
Gas has been restored to some homes in a West Yorkshire town, but thousands of residents are still facing a third day without a supply. Gas supplies to thousands of residents have remained cut off for a third day in a Yorkshire town.
Contractors working on a housing scheme caused damage to the mains pipe in the Silsden area, near Bradford, on Friday, affecting more than 3,000 properties.Contractors working on a housing scheme caused damage to the mains pipe in the Silsden area, near Bradford, on Friday, affecting more than 3,000 properties.
Engineers restored gas to 70 homes, but it could be another three days until the whole town is reconnected. Engineers restored gas to 600 homes, but it could be another three days until the whole town is reconnected.
Northern Gas Networks said it was the largest incident it had dealt with. Northern Gas Networks (NGN) said it was the largest incident it had dealt with.
Red Cross and community volunteers are providing help, and a drop-in centre has been set up at St James' Church hall. Barratt, the builder responsible for the Belton Road housing development where the contractors were working, has apologised to residents for the inconvenience.
Heaters, hot food and showers have also been made available. A major community operation has swung into place with Red Cross and community volunteers providing help as well as the council and police.
More than 100 engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) have been working round the clock to resolve the issue. A drop-in centre has been set up at St James' Church hall and hundreds of heaters and other items have been distributed along with food vouchers.
Eileen Brown, from NGN, said: "We got a small number of people on last night by about midnight, but customers had gone to bed. Shower facilities were also provided at Keighley Leisure Centre until 16:00 GMT and will be reopened on Monday from 09:00 to 17:00.
"Our engineers are ready and waiting to get people back on today. Tribute has been paid to NGN staff as more than 100 of its engineers work round the clock to resolve the issue.
"It's going to be quite a long job but we're working extremely hard to get it sorted out as quickly and as safely as we can." Posting on Silsden Buzz, a community Facebook page, Pauline Whitaker said: "I can't praise enough NGN and all the workers that have come from far and near."
NGN said it was working with Northern Powergrid, which is monitoring the electricity network for any potential knock-on surges in demand while residents are without gas. Another resident Gwendda Greaves said: "The community spirit in Silsden these last few days has been just amazing."
Other gas companies have supported the operation, with engineers from firms including Cadent, Wales & West Utilities and SGN helping out.
Iain Foster, NGN network supply strategy manager, said: "We have been able to reconnect a number of customers and would ask residents for their ongoing patience as we continue this work.
"We are still expecting it to take a number of days as we systematically reinstate gas supplies to the network."
Meanwhile, NGN said it was working with Northern Powergrid, which is monitoring the electricity network for any potential knock-on surges in demand while residents are without gas.
Any significant overloading of the network could increase chances of damage and result in a power cut.Any significant overloading of the network could increase chances of damage and result in a power cut.
As a result, residents are being urged to minimise the use of electrical appliances to help prevent any issues.As a result, residents are being urged to minimise the use of electrical appliances to help prevent any issues.
Food vouchers have been made available and shower facilities have also been provided for residents at Keighley Leisure Centre until 16:00 GMT. It will reopen on Monday from 09:00 to 17:00.