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Homes still waiting on gas supply No promise on gas supply repairs
(about 3 hours later)
Engineers say they will work around the clock in a bid to restore supplies to 18,000 homes in Lancashire left without gas following an explosion. Engineers trying to restore gas supplies to 18,000 Lancashire homes have said they cannot promise the work will be completed by Christmas Day.
The houses were left without supplies after a gas main ruptured on Monday, setting light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane, Rawtenstall. The houses were left without supplies after a gas main ruptured on Monday, setting light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane in Rawtenstall.
Temporary repairs have been made to the power line, but The National Grid is yet to reconnect gas customers. Temporary repairs have been made to the power line, but the National Grid is yet to reconnect gas customers.
It says it cannot guarantee supplies will be restored before Christmas Day.It says it cannot guarantee supplies will be restored before Christmas Day.
When we have confirmed that it is safe we can begin restoring gas supplies to homes and businesses. National Grid spokesperson I've heard on the grapevine just now it could well be weeks now Resident Laura Morris
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 now need to re-pressurise and test the system.Work to repair the damaged gas pipe was completed on Tuesday morning, but engineers now need to re-pressurise and test the system.
A National Grid spokesperson said: "When we have confirmed that it is safe we can begin restoring gas supplies to homes and businesses.A National Grid spokesperson said: "When we have confirmed that it is safe we can begin restoring gas supplies to homes and businesses.
"Every effort is being made to do this as soon as possible, however, it is too early to say at this stage when this operation can begin." "Every effort is being made to do this as soon as possible, however it is too early to say at this stage when this operation can begin."
Repairs risk Resident Laura Morris, who was at home when the explosion happened, said it could be a chilly festive season for people in the area.
Rota basis
"Luckily we do have a little electric heater to keep the living room warm but I've no gas central heating, no hot water, no cooker.
"We do go to my mum and dad's on Christmas Day but they're without gas as well so we're just going to have to take it day by day and see how we get on.
"I've heard on the grapevine just now it could well be weeks now."
Engineers will have to call on every individual house to restore the supply and in the meantime anyone without gas should check all appliances are turned off, as well as their meter.Engineers will have to call on every individual house to restore the supply and in the meantime anyone without gas should check all appliances are turned off, as well as their meter.
United Utilities said it had restored power to homes cut off when the line was damaged, but warned of further possible disruption. If repairs do not hold United Utilities said it would rotate power supplies for the next three to four days until a new emergency power line was constructed.
A spokesperson said: "Engineers have made temporary repairs to the power line that was damaged by the fire from National Grid's gas main. "This would mean that 4,000 properties in the area would be re-energised for a period of around two hours on a rota basis," a company spokesman said.
"However, there is still a risk that these repairs may not hold and power supplies could be lost again. Traffic on the nearby A56 Edenfield bypass was also affected and the road remains partly closed.
"If this happens, United Utilities would rotate power supplies for the next three to four days until a new emergency power line can be constructed.
"This would mean that 4,000 properties in the area would be re-energised for a period of around two hours on a rota basis."
Traffic on the nearby A56 Edenfield bypass was also affected and remains partly closed.