Silsden gas loss: Thousands face third day without supplies

Red Cross volunteers are providing help and a drop-in centre has been set up for those affected

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.

Engineers restored gas to 600 homes, but it could be another three days until the whole town is reconnected.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) said it was the largest incident it had dealt with.

Barratt, the builder responsible for the Belton Road housing development where the contractors were working, has apologised to residents for the inconvenience.

Damage was caused to the mains supply by a contractor working on Barratt Homes Saxon Dene development

A major community operation has swung into place with Red Cross and community volunteers providing help as well as the council and police.

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.

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.

Tribute has been paid to NGN staff as more than 100 of its engineers work round the clock to resolve the issue.

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."

Another resident Gwendda Greaves said: "The community spirit in Silsden these last few days has been just amazing."

Hundreds of staff and volunteers have been helping out in the community

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."

Food vouchers have been given out to affected residents

Engineers have been drafted in from across the country

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.

As a result, residents are being urged to minimise the use of electrical appliances to help prevent any issues.