Domiciliary care agencies, carers and friends who have taken in vulnerable people affected by the gas outage in South Devon are being asked to support people as progress is made to restore their gas supply.
Around 100 Wales & West Utilities engineers have successfully visited all affected properties in Kingsbridge and Malborough to initially disconnect their gas, in order to re-connect the supply as soon as the network is ready.
Properties in Salcombe impacted by the outage have also been visited, but engineers found access difficult as some owners were not resident at the time.
Four thousand, six hundred properties in total were affected by the gas outage on Saturday, but the vast majority in Kingsbridge and Malborough are expected to have their gas supply restored today (Wednesday 7 January).
In the meantime vulnerable people, left without heating, who have temporarily moved in with friends and family members not affected by the incident, are beginning to return or are considering a return to their own homes.
Today, friends and carers of those impacted are being asked to help them during the gas restoration process.
Engineers have posted calling cards through the letter boxes of properties that they were unable to gain entry to, with contact details for residents to arrange a re-visit to reinstate supply.
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said:
“Wales & West engineers are doing everything they can to call on households to do what they need to do in order to reinstate the gas supply.
“They’ve left calling cards at properties where they found residents weren’t in.
“We’re now asking care agencies, friends and family members who have vulnerable relatives or clients returning to their homes to help by contacting Wales and West on the phone number provided with the calling card, to arrange a re-visit on the other person’s behalf.”
The number to call Wales & West Utilities to arrange a re-visit is 0800 912 2999.
Wales & West Engineers carry ID badges and if you have any concerns, you can verify their identify by calling 0800 316 0478.