A COMMUNITY is pulling together after gas supplies were cut off to hundreds of homes.

Families have been left without central heating, hot water and gas cookers after water from a burst main got into the gas system in the Delves Lane area, near Consett, County Durham.

It happened last Thursday and elderly residents of Greenways Court needed emergency care for two nights until the supply could be restored.

But while gas has been reconnected to 500 homes there are still 250 properties without a supply.

Gary Gibson, 54, of Castle Dene Road, said: “It has been a nightmare. It has been freezing. I did not know for a couple of days whether I had been cut off because I did not get any information.

“I have got a gas cooker so I have not been able to cook anything and I have been sleeping in my clothes.”

Engineers from Northern Gas Networks are working around the clock the restore the supplies and have set up a command centre at Delves Lane Village Hall where villagers are helping out themselves.

Vera Marley, 75, of Castle Dene Road, said: “I was given an electric heater, they are going to reimburse me for the electricity and I have had some fish and chips. If I won the lottery everyone here would get something. They have done all they can and they deserve a medal.”

Electric hot plates and heaters are available for residents at the hall and oil heaters being provided to elderly and vulnerable customers.

Free hot food is available from a catering van outside the village hall and from the Golden Fish Inn on Delves Lane with food vouchers from the hall itself.

Complimentary showering facilities are available at Belle Vue Leisure Centre on Ashdale Road in Consett between 6.30am and 9.30pm.

John Richardson, customer operations area manager, Northern Gas Networks, said: “We have now reconnected around two thirds of the affected properties to the gas supply and we’re working hard to get the remaining homes back on gas as quickly as possible.

“We would like to thank residents for their continued patience and cooperation during this process.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure people have access to heating, hot water and food while repairs are being carried out.”

Anyone with questions is advised to speak to an engineer on site, visit the village hall or contact NGN’s Customer Care team on 0800-040-7766 option 5.

Anyone who smells gas should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800-111-999.