Syed Talib
Updated on: October 13, 2024 3:50 pm GMT
About 100,000 litres of water have been pumped from gas pipes after a fire in Winslow, Buckinghamshire, left several homes without gas this week. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, caused a significant disruption in the community, leading to ongoing recovery efforts by gas distribution company SGN.
Crisis Following Gas Main Fire
The fire broke out around 6:20 PM on Lowndes Way, engulfing a gas main and resulting in the destruction of a nearby digger. As a consequence, residents faced immediate gas supply disruptions. Initially, approximately 800 properties were impacted, with 250 homes still without gas as of Sunday evening. The gas company SGN confirmed that water entered the gas pipes during the fire, complicating their response efforts.
“We’re very sorry for the ongoing inconvenience being caused,” SGN reported. They also extended their gratitude to the residents for their patience during this challenging time.
Impact on Residents
The fire’s aftermath has seen a widespread effect on the community, prompting significant challenges for residents. Key points regarding the incident include:
- About 100,000 litres of water extracted from the gas network.
- The fire caused gas disruption to around 800 properties.
- Specialist contractors have been brought in to assist with recovery efforts.
- Residents who have been without gas for over 24 hours are eligible for automatic compensation.
To support those affected, SGN set up a customer service center at Winslow Sports and Social Club. This facility allowed residents to access electric appliances for cooking and heating. Additionally, residents with proof of address were permitted to use the showers at nearby Swan Pool & Leisure Centre.
Recovery Efforts Ongoing
SGN has been working around the clock to rectify the situation. By Thursday evening, over 15,000 litres of water had been pumped from the system, though many homes remained without gas. The company advised residents against attempting to turn their gas supply back on independently to prevent further damage to their appliances.
“Engineers have made good progress extracting water from the network,” SGN stated, yet emphasized the continued need for caution among residents.
Investigation Still Underway
An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the fire. However, SGN conveyed that it is “too early to know what caused the incident.” Local authorities, including Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, are collaborating in these efforts as they address both the immediate needs of affected residents and the underlying issues that led to this emergency.
Conclusion
As the community of Winslow navigates the aftermath of this disruptive incident, the focus remains on restoring gas supply and ensuring safety. With SGN’s ongoing response and support from local services, residents hope to see a resolution in the near future. SGN continues to communicate updates and encourages affected residents to reach out to their customer services for assistance as they recover from this unfortunate event.
Caption: SGN has been working diligently to remove water from the gas network in Winslow.
Right now, it’s really important for the Winslow community to support each other, talk openly, and be honest. Everyone is working together to get back to normal after what happened.
