After nearly 400 homes were left without a gas supply for over 48 hours, engineers have started to reintroduce gas to parts of the network, the Northern Gas Network has confirmed. 

388 properties in Stanley, County Durham were left with no gas or water on Friday (March 3) afternoon when water found its way into gas pipes in the areas of Kielder Drive, Wooler Drive, Dalby Way and Holly Hill Gardens West.

Engineers working at the scene started extracting water from the gas pipes on Saturday (March 4) after Northumbrian Water repaired a leaking water main.

Read more: Homes in Stanley, County Durham left without gas after water leak

This afternoon (March 5) engineers have been reintroducing gas to some parts of the network, in addition to continuing work to extract water from other parts of the network. 

9000 litres of water have already been removed from the system, and work is set to continue to restore supply to all affected homes. 

The Northern Echo: NGN has started to restore gas to parts of the impacted network. NGN has started to restore gas to parts of the impacted network. (Image: Stuart Bolton)

NGN Incident Controller James Knox said: “We’re continuing to remove water from the network while in the position to begin the process of reintroducing gas to certain areas. We’d like to thank customers and the community for their patience and support while our engineers continue to work as safely and quickly as they can to resolve the issue.”

Shower facilities are available for affected customers until 10 pm this evening at Beamish Football Centre at 94 Eastfields, Stanley, DH9 7DN.

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The NGN Customer Care Team are on hand at the customer drop-in centre in St Mary’s RC Primary School in Tyne Road East.

Hot plates, heaters and food vouchers are available and can be used today at:

  • South Moor Golf Club at The Middles, Craghead, Stanley, DH9 6AG, accepting food vouchers until 4 pm. 
  • UK Pizza, 3 Standerton Terrace, Stanley, open from 4 pm to take food orders.
  • The catering van at the drop-in centre will be on site until 9 pm.

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From tomorrow (Monday, March 6) the customer drop-in centre will move to the dedicated Warm Hub Craghead Village Hall on Middles Road, Craghead. Facilities include a TV screen, toilets, baby changing and hot drinks.

Customers needing extra support can call the team on 0800 040 7766 (selecting option 3), or email customercare@northerngas.co.uk.

Anyone who smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.