Gas supply could be restored within two days, relieved residents told

Relieved householders who feared they would be without domestic gas for up to five days were last night told most could have supplies back within 48 hours.

Around 8,000 properties in the Falkirk area were affected by an equipment failure on Sunday morning, leaving them without gas for heating and cooking.

Support centres were set up in Stenhousemuir and Bainsford by the council and electric hotplates and heaters were distributed to vulnerable families and individuals. Libraries offered residents a place to shelter from freezing temperatures and leisure centres run by Falkirk Community Trust said anyone could come and use their showers for free.

Fourteen Schools and nurseries across the area were closed on Monday, but Falkirk Council said all but three –would reopen on Tuesday. Those still unable to open are Bainsford Primary School and Nursery Class, Kinnaird Primary and Larbert Early Learning Centre.

The problem was blamed on the failure of equipment used to manage pressure in the gas network. While engineers repaired this quickly, gas infrastructure company SGN had initially warned turning supplies back on safely could take until Friday or even the weekend. But by Monday evening, supplies were being restored to homes across Bainsford, Carron, Carronshore, Larbert, Langlees, New Carron Village, Skinflats and Stenhousemuir.

SGN said the revised timescale was due "incredible efforts from our engineers over the past 36 hours".

Despite this, efforts were continuing to ensure the safety of vulnerable people last night and many residents decamped to stay with relatives or friends rather than remain in unheated homes as temperatures dropped.

SGN set up an information point at Camelon Community Centre. The company added: "We're still providing elect

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