A major incident has been declared as up to 2,000 homes were left without gas in Leicestershire.
In a distressing turn of events, a ‘major incident’ has been declared in Leicestershire as gas outages impact 1,000 to 2,000 homes in Ratby and Kirby Muxloe. The predicament stems from a water main burst, causing a significant influx of water into gas pipes.
Residents reported outages earlier today, prompting Cadent Gas to promptly shut off the gas supply to the affected area. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Cadent Gas, alongside National Grid, Severn Trent, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, as well as district and county council partners, the Red Cross, and other collaborators, have joined forces to ensure the safety of residents.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Richard Sansom, Network Director for Cadent in the East Midlands, emphasized the considerable time required to resolve the gas outages. He expressed a particular focus on supporting the most vulnerable by providing electrical appliances for heating and cooking. Sansom also urged residents to reduce demand on the National Grid, given the increased power usage from the supplied appliances.
With the well-being of the community at the forefront, staff and volunteers from various agencies are visiting the most vulnerable residents. The collaborative effort aims to ensure that those in need receive the extra help required during this challenging period.
Amidst the gas outages, a support hub has been established at Ratby Village Hall, where residents can access fan heaters, blankets, and socks. However, challenges persist, as Mo Loft, chairman of Ratby Community Library, highlighted the absence of heating in the building used as a warm space. Despite these difficulties, the community spirit prevails, with residents rallying together to navigate through the crisis.
Richard Sansom expressed gratitude for everyone’s patience and encouraged residents to stay updated through the Cadent website for further developments. Meanwhile, Severn Trent, the water company involved, affirmed its commitment to understanding the incident’s cause but emphasized that the immediate priority is restoring the network to normalcy while continuing to support Cadent.
As the affected villages cope with this unexpected situation, the resilience and unity of the community shine through, exemplifying the strength that emerges in challenging times.