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Power cut off after gas explosion Christmas gas warning after blast
(about 3 hours later)
Residents and businesses could be without power for 24 hours or more after a gas explosion in Lancashire. Thousands of homes may still be without gas supplies at Christmas after an explosion brought down power lines near a sub station in Lancashire.
About 17,000 properties are without electricity after a gas main ruptured, setting light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane in Rawtenstall. A gas leak was being fixed on Monday morning when a gas main ruptured, setting light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane in Rawtenstall.
Traffic on the nearby A56 Edenfield bypass is affected and neighbouring properties have been evacuated. The blast left 18,000 homes without gas and 17,000 without electricity.
A United Utilities spokesman said homes were being given power for two-hour periods while the problem was fixed. The National Grid said it may not be able to restore all gas supplies in the area before Christmas Day.
A police cordon is in place around the affected area. It has urged those affected in the Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, Newchurch and Crawshawbooth areas to turn off all gas supplies and equipment.
The United Utilities spokesman said about 30,000 homes had been affected but that number had now dropped to 17,000. A spokeswoman said: "National Grid apologises for any inconvenience and is making every effort to restore gas supplies as soon as possible.
'Inspecting damage' Residents who have power in the Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Helmshore areas can also assist by reducing their power consumption United Utilities
Those homes were being served with a two-hour on, two-hour off rota system while the problem was being rectified. "However, we may not be able to restore all supplies before Christmas Day.
"The safety of local people is our top priority. We are working with the local authority to identify people who need special help. We are appealing to people to be good neighbours and check on those they know to be elderly or infirm."
A United Utilities spokesman said about 30,000 homes were without electricity but that number had been reduced to 17,000.
Homes are currently being given power on a two-hour on, two-hour off rota system while the problem is being rectified.
He said: "There was a serious gas escape and fire this morning, on a gas main owned by National Grid.He said: "There was a serious gas escape and fire this morning, on a gas main owned by National Grid.
Damage inspected
"The fire damaged an electricity line in the vicinity, owned by United Utilities."The fire damaged an electricity line in the vicinity, owned by United Utilities.
"At the request of the fire service, United Utilities engineers shut off power to the electricity line at around midday, so that the blaze could be tackled."At the request of the fire service, United Utilities engineers shut off power to the electricity line at around midday, so that the blaze could be tackled.
"Our engineers are now in the process of inspecting the damage to the overhead line and a nearby substation, and are working hard to get power supplies back up and running.""Our engineers are now in the process of inspecting the damage to the overhead line and a nearby substation, and are working hard to get power supplies back up and running."
He added: "However, we do estimate that it will be at least 24 hours before things will be back to normal.He added: "However, we do estimate that it will be at least 24 hours before things will be back to normal.
"Residents who have power in the Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Helmshore areas can also assist by reducing their power consumption as much as possible. This will help us to distribute electricity more efficiently to customers in Rossendale.""Residents who have power in the Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Helmshore areas can also assist by reducing their power consumption as much as possible. This will help us to distribute electricity more efficiently to customers in Rossendale."
A police cordon remains in place around the affected area.
Traffic on the nearby A56 Edenfield bypass is affected and neighbouring properties have been evacuated.