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Christmas gas warning after blast Christmas gas warning after blast
(29 minutes later)
Thousands of homes may still be without gas supplies at Christmas after an explosion brought down power lines near a sub station 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.
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.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.
The blast left 18,000 homes without gas and 17,000 without electricity.The blast left 18,000 homes without gas and 17,000 without electricity.
The National Grid said it may not be able to restore all gas supplies in the area before Christmas Day.The National Grid said it may not be able to restore all gas supplies in the area before Christmas Day.
It has urged those affected in the Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, Newchurch and Crawshawbooth areas to turn off all gas supplies and equipment.It has urged those affected in the Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, Newchurch and Crawshawbooth areas to turn off all gas supplies and equipment.
A spokeswoman said: "National Grid apologises for any inconvenience and is making every effort to restore gas supplies as soon as possible.A spokeswoman said: "National Grid apologises for any inconvenience and is making every effort to restore gas supplies as soon as possible.
Residents who have power in the Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Helmshore areas can also assist by reducing their power consumption United Utilities We may not be able to restore all supplies before Christmas Day National Grid
"However, we may not be able to restore all supplies before Christmas Day."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." "The safety of local people is our top priority. We are working with the local authority to identify people who need special help.
A United Utilities spokesman said about 30,000 homes were without electricity but that number had been reduced to 17,000. "We are appealing to people to be good neighbours and check on those they know to be elderly or infirm."
Homes are currently being given power on a two-hour on, two-hour off rota system while the problem is being rectified. A United Utilities spokesman said about 17,000 homes were without electricity after the blast, but all were expected to be reconnected by 2000 BST.
He said: "There was a serious gas escape and fire this morning, on a gas main owned by National Grid. Homes were previously being given power on a two-hour on, two-hour off rota system while the problem was dealt with.
Damage inspected The spokesman said: "There was a serious gas escape and fire this morning, on a gas main owned by National Grid.
"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." A police cordon remains in place around the area.
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."
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.Traffic on the nearby A56 Edenfield bypass is affected and neighbouring properties have been evacuated.