Engineers working to restore gas to 4,600 homes

A gas company is working to restore supplies after a major outage caused by damage to a mains pipe that has affected thousands of homes and other buildings.

Wales and West Utilities (WWU) said every affected property would need a visit from engineers to switch the gas supply off followed by another to turn it back on safely.

On Sunday it said the majority of properties in Malborough, Devon had been isolated and this was the first area where supplies can be restored, with Kingsbridge and Salcombe to follow - and vulnerable customers were being prioritised.

The outage affected about 4,600 properties and started on Saturday in cold weather - some schools have said they will be closed on Monday.

People have been urged to "make every effort to be in" on Sunday as about 100 engineers make their way around homes.

The outage was caused by a third party working on land at Belle Hill near Kingsbridge, said the firm.

WWU said on Sunday the mains pipe had been fixed overnight and the two visits to each property were under way.

The company said some customers may see their supplies restored on Sunday, while others are likely to have it returned on Monday or Tuesday.

The company said if anyone was out when engineers called, they would leave a card with details on how to get the gas supply back. Anyone who smells gas should call the National Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999.

All engineers carried ID and customers could check this by calling 0800 316 0478.

"We continue to appreciate everyone's patience as we work to restore supplies and would like to thank people for this," a spokesperson said.

Kingsbridge Primary School has announced that it will be closed on Monday due to lack of heating and hot water.

Kingsbridge Community College also said "unfortunately" it would be closed and the Ark nursery at Tresillian in Fore Street, Kingsbridge said it was "highly unlikely" to be open.

Devon County Council said closures would be notified via the county council's schools website, said the authority.

Wayne Grills, owner of Pizza Planet in Kingsbridge, has shut his restaurant due to its reliance on gas.

"We had to close, we cook on gas like many restaurants and takeaways," he said.

"For us that was it, the minute we knew we didn't have gas that was it, we were shut.

"Usually the last weekend before people go back to school and work is pretty busy, Saturday was looking to be just as busy, but the plug was pulled.

"I did know fairly early on what the situation would have to be.

"Knowing the thousands of properties that will have to be visited by engineers, it is going to be a big task."

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