Gas is restored to 16,000 homes

The ruptured gas main set light to an overhead power cable

Gas supplies have been restored to all occupied properties in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, following a gas explosion.

Some 18,000 homes were left without gas after a gas main ruptured on Monday, setting fire to an electricity pylon.

National Grid says its engineers worked until 2300 GMT on Wednesday and have re-connected about 16,000 properties.

But its staff could not gain access to around 1,000 properties, it said, so about 65 engineers will return to the remaining buildings on Christmas Day.

Engineers have also left cards with an emergency number at those properties where no-one was in.

The initial explosion set light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane, in Rawtenstall.

Thirty nursing homes were among the properties where gas supplies have been reconnected.

Temporary repairs have been made to the power line damaged in the explosion.

About 300 engineers worked "around-the-clock" to restore services, a spokesman said.

Director of operations Jon Butterworth said "This is a mammoth task, but local people have been fantastic.

"I want to apologise for the inconvenience but also to thank people for their patience while we have been fixing the problem, and also for letting us into their homes during the night to get their gas supplies on for Christmas.

I can have a bath tonight, that's what I've missed most Pat Holden, resident in Rawtenstall

The blast on Monday morning, which disrupted gas supplies, also left 17,000 homes without electricity in the Bacup, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, Newchurch, Rossendale and Crawshawbooth areas.

Some 65 engineers are still in Rossendale, trying to reconnect the gas supply to a number of homes.

National Grid has apologised to people who it says have been missed in the first round of checks.

Work to repair the damaged gas pipe was completed on Tuesday morning, but engineers have had to repressurise and test the system, as well as checking each individual property.

They advised residents without gas to check all appliances were switched off.