Homes still without gas after main caught fire

Hundreds of homes have been left without gas after a main caught fire.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service said the main on Lowndes Way, Winslow, was "well alight" and the blaze had destroyed a nearby digger at about 18:20 BST on Wednesday.

Gas distribution company SGN said water entered the gas pipes during the incident and while they worked to remove it they had to shut off the gas supply for about 800 properties.

On Friday, the firm said engineers has "made good progress extracting water" from the network and told customer not to turn their gas supply back on themselves as the water could damage appliances.

By Thursday night, more than 15,000 litres of water had been removed from the system, but 382 homes still remained without gas.

SGN opened a customer centre at Winslow Sports and Social Club where people could use electric appliances for cooking and heating.

Those with proof of address have been able to use the showers at Swan Pool & Leisure Centre in Buckingham.

A further update was expected on Friday evening.

SGN said an investigation was taking place but it was "too early to know what caused the incident".

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