Hundreds of households in South Devon have been plunged into a deep freeze after a major gas supply failure, coinciding with a severe nationwide cold weather alert. Families in Salcombe, Kingsbridge, and Malborough are bracing for several days without heating or hot water as engineers race to repair a damaged pipe.
Critical Infrastructure Damage Sparks Crisis
The disruption began after a third party accidentally damaged a gas pipe, according to network operator Wales and West Utilities (WWU). While the incident is not believed to have been deliberate, the consequences are severe for the affected communities. A WWU spokesperson confirmed that engineers are on-site but warned it is a "challenging job", with supplies expected to be interrupted for a number of days.
The utility company stated it is unaware of the exact number of properties impacted but is prioritising support for vulnerable residents registered on its Priority Services Register. "We’re working hard to support customers... with alternative cooking and heating facilities," the spokesperson said, urging the public to check on vulnerable neighbours until help can reach them.
Freezing Temperatures Compound the Emergency
The timing of the outage could not be worse, as the Met Office has issued an amber cold-health alert for the entire South West and all other regions of England. Overnight temperatures in the area are forecast to plummet to freezing, with Devon County Council warning residents about icy paths and roads.
Local businesses have also been forced to shut their doors. The Maha-Bharat curry house in Kingsbridge announced its closure, apologising to customers and issuing refunds for online orders. "This is just as disappointing for us as it is for you," a statement from the restaurant read, highlighting the wider economic impact of the infrastructure failure.
Community Response and Ongoing Repairs
WWU has said it is liaising with the local council to explore what additional support can be provided to residents stranded without essential utilities. The company has pledged to keep the community updated as repair work progresses through what is expected to be a prolonged and complex operation.
With the amber health alert warning of a "substantial impact on health services" due to the cold, the situation places extra strain on local health resources and leaves many households facing a difficult and potentially hazardous few days. The community is now rallying to support those most at risk during the prolonged outage.
