Gas to return to 'some properties' today after Chester inferno — but many to go without

Gas supply will start to return to some Chester properties left without gas after Friday's gas main fire. Cadent Gas, the firm working to restore the supply, says many in Huntington will remain without gas overnight.

The gas main burst into flames around 8.16pm on Friday (June 21) on Dee Banks, directly outside Dee Banks School, Great Boughton. The fire raged for around four hours, with firefighters dousing the flames and neighbouring residents evacuated until the gas supply was isolated around 12.20am.

A "large number" of homes remain without gas today (June 24), as the fire was put out by cutting the gas supply. Dee Banks was already closed at the time of the fire due to major works underway since January to lay a new water pipeline between Huntington Water Treatment Works and Boughton Water Treatment Works, along Chester Road, Dee Banks and Sandy Lane.

READ MORE: Residents evacuated as gas main ignites outside Chester school | Video shows a fireball outside Dee Banks School, with flames leaping high above houses

READ MORE: Chester residents 'unable to access driveways' as Severn Trent works reach next phase | The next stage of works are due to last until July 15

Cadent said the circumstances of the leak and fire "will be investigated."

This afternoon, Phil Hendrick, leading Cadent’s response to the incident said: “Our team has worked through the weekend to prepare the network for the reintroduction of gas.

"This is a careful and meticulous process, with safety our top priority. We are hopeful we can start to restore supply to some properties later today, but for many the gas will remain off again overnight. We are sorry about that.

“We know it is not nice to be without gas and our team is incredibly grateful for the patience and understanding you have shown so far. A big thank you to everyone, including the many organisations and individuals who have supported us.

“The circumstances of what caused this will be investigated, but our priority right now is to restore gas supply, as quickly as we are safely able to. We have had an army of engineers here in Chester to deal with this incident, and we will stay here in big numbers until this incident is concluded.”

Cadent has set up a support centre at St Luke’s Church in Chester Road, where representatives are answering queries from impacted residents, the firm said. Affected residents can also call Cadent on 0808 178 8085, with the dedicated phone line open 8am to 8pm.

Food vans are serving hot meals from 12 noon to 6pm at St Luke’s, and hot shower facilities are offered by Chester Rugby Club.

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