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| Festive hope for gas blast homes | Festive hope for gas blast homes |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Engineers working to restore gas to 18,000 Lancashire homes following an explosion on Monday believe services will return in time for Christmas Day. | Engineers working to restore gas to 18,000 Lancashire homes following an explosion on Monday believe services will return in time for Christmas Day. |
| The properties were left without supplies after a gas main ruptured, setting light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane, in Rawtenstall. | The properties were left without supplies after a gas main ruptured, setting light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane, in Rawtenstall. |
| Initially National Grid said it was unlikely services would be fully restored before 25 December. | Initially National Grid said it was unlikely services would be fully restored before 25 December. |
| However, supplies were returned to 4,000 homes overnight. | |
| The service to the remaining properties in Rawtenstall and Bacup could resume by teatime on Wednesday, National Grid said. | The service to the remaining properties in Rawtenstall and Bacup could resume by teatime on Wednesday, National Grid said. |
| Video footage of flames following the explosion | Video footage of flames following the explosion |
| Engineers need to gain access to each affected property, so those left empty over the festive season will be left without gas until the householders return. | Engineers need to gain access to each affected property, so those left empty over the festive season will be left without gas until the householders return. |
| Temporary repairs have been made to the power line damaged in the explosion. | Temporary repairs have been made to the power line damaged in the explosion. |
| About 300 engineers worked "around the clock" to restore services. | About 300 engineers worked "around the clock" to restore services. |
| Director of operations Jon Butterworth said "We apologise for the inconvenience this incident has caused to local people and thank them for their patience and co-operation." | Director of operations Jon Butterworth said "We apologise for the inconvenience this incident has caused to local people and thank them for their patience and co-operation." |
| The blast on Monday morning left 18,000 homes without gas and 17,000 without electricity in the Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, Newchurch and Crawshawbooth areas. | The blast on Monday morning left 18,000 homes without gas and 17,000 without electricity in the Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, Newchurch and Crawshawbooth areas. |
| Work to repair the damaged gas pipe was completed on Tuesday morning, but engineers had to re-pressurise and test the system, as well as checking each individual property. | Work to repair the damaged gas pipe was completed on Tuesday morning, but engineers had to re-pressurise and test the system, as well as checking each individual property. |
| They advised residents without gas to check all appliances were switched off. | They advised residents without gas to check all appliances were switched off. |