THOUSANDS of homes were left without gas last night after contractors damaged a main supply pipe.
The incident happened at around 7pm and affected about 4000 properties in Carluke, Lanarkshire.
Scotland Gas Networks, the pipeline operator, immediately called on all gas users in the area to turn off appliances and equipment. It said later that the damaged main had been repaired. However, full restoration could take several days.
A spokesman said engineers would call at each property to ensure all systems were shut down before restoring supplies begins. Residents will not be able to use gas again until engineers have called for a second time to restore the supply.
A spokesman said: "To be absolutely safe we have to make sure that the system is shut down completely with checks at each property.
"We will be contacting the caring agencies to make sure arrangements are made for elderly or vulnerable residents."
Scotland Gas Networks is the name of the new company formed after the sale of the Scotland and South of England gas distribution networks from National Grid Transco.
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