Homes without gas after water leaks into mains

Properties in a Surrey village are without gas after a burst water main leaked into the gas main.

Approximately 360 properties have had their gas shut off in Gomshall, according to gas supplier SGN.

Supplies cannot be turned back on until all of the water has been removed from the network.

An SGN spokesperson said specialist equipment was being used to check sections of pipe and supplies could start being restored on Monday afternoon.

SGN previously said it had visited affected properties to turn off the supplies at the meter and warned residents not to attempt to turn the gas back on themselves.

"We can't turn gas supplies back on until all of the water has been removed from our network, and at the moment it's too early to estimate when that work will be complete," said a spokesperson.

"We understand it's difficult being without your gas supply, especially in this cold weather, and we're working as hard as we can to resolve the situation."

Over 1,100 litres have already been removed and work will continue throughout Monday, an SGN spokesperson added.

Staff have set up a customer centre at Gomshall Village Sports & Social Club in Queen Street and will arrange for engineers to turn off supplies if anyone wasn't home upon their first visit.

They added electric heaters and hot plates for cooking are available for those who need them.

Gomshall resident Jessica Wheatley told BBC Radio Surrey: "There was a knock at the door and he said 'I've got to switch your gas off'.

"I have gas central heating which isn't good in this cold weather. My house got cold very quickly. We got a heater out the shed and have one warm room in the house."

Ray Savage, who has lived in Gomshall for eight years, said he went to the local pub to stay warm.

He said: "I have no heating at the moment.

"I woke up on Sunday morning and heard a noise from the boiler, indicating it had a fault.

"I turned on the oven and hob but they both had low pressure. Luckily I was still able to make a Sunday lunch!"

Terri Dempsey said: "We have had no hot water or heating, so couldn't shower here on Sunday.

"It is really cold and not being able to wash is rubbish, but the elderly will be worse off."

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