National Grid engineers have restored gas supplies to 100 homes in East Barnet as work continues around the clock to pump water out of the local gas network.

Extra engineers have been drafted in to help with the task of calling other affected properties in the area in the hope of restoring all gas supplies in time for Christmas.

Around 1,000 homes lost their gas supply after water entered the local gas mains at the weekend.  The water is believed to have come from a burst water main which in turn, damaged a nearby gas pipe.

An incident room has been set up in St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Little Grove. Cooking and heating appliances have been distributed to affected households. More appliances are on the way although the inclement weather is affecting delivery times.

National Grid is working closely with Hertfordshire Council’s emergency planning department to identify vulnerable people within the area.

David Luetchford, National Grid incident controller, said: “We have now restored gas supplies to around 100 homes, but we are still pumping water out of the gas network overnight so it is too early to say when all supplies will be restored.

 “Safety is our top priority and people must not try to turn their own gas supply back on. An engineer will call to reconnect the supply safely when it is safe to do so.

“We have brought in extra engineers from the Midlands and East Anglia in readiness so once we are able, we can restore supplies as quickly as possible.

“I appreciate that this is a difficult time for residents, but I ask them to bear with us as we work to resolve this situation.”

If you are a local resident and have any enquiries about the loss of gas supply in East Barnet, please call 0845 605 6677.

If you smell gas please ring the National Gas Emergency service on 0800 111 999.

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