Probe intogas supply

A dodgy gas supply has been blamed for causing boiler breakdowns in parts of Paisley.

Residents in the town’s south side say their gas supply is burning with an orange flame and believe the issue lies at the heart of a host of boiler problems apparently experienced by dozens of homes in the area.

Lochfield and Thornly Park are amongst areas affected by the issue.

One resident, who asked not to be named, told the Express: “Initially, I got in the shower and it was freezing cold, I went to check the boiler and it had cut out, I reset it a couple of times and it went back off.”

He was forced to call in a gas engineer who told him the mechanism had cut off due to a safety feature, triggered by burn off from the gas mixture.

The homeowner was later forced to get a new boiler after investigations to remedy the problem put paid to his ageing system.

But the man added: “They don’t seem to know what the issue is but the easiest way to see it is if you put your gas hob on and you can see the flame burns orange when it comes on.”

He claims an engineer despatched by the gas bosses told him the issue was “endemic to the south side of Paisley” and said if the decision was down to him, he would cut off gas supplies to affected homes for safety reasons until the issue can be further explored.

Residents have taken to social media to report boiler and gas flame issues, including on Lochfield and Brodie Park Community Share’s page, with one saying: “Has anyone in the Lochfield Thornly Park area have issues with their gas/central heating boiler? “We and a few others have had issues over the weekend with the boiler not working and new part needed after only three years.”

Another resident added: “I’m the same St Ninian’s Road, orange flame and boiler not working, has anyone contacted the gas to see if they will pay for it?”

One woman, a Renfrewshire Council tenant, said: “Council guy said gas board are aware of it but not taking responsibility for it.”

A spokesman for gas network SGN, formerly known as Scottish Gas Networks, denied there were safety issues, saying: “We have received reports of incorrect colour flames at a small number of individual properties in the south of Paisley.

“Investigations on the cause are ongoing and we hope to resolve the issue very soon.”

He added: “We’d like to reassure everyone that there are no problems with the quality, pressure or safety of your gas supply and it is safe to continue being used.”

Renfrewshire Council was approached for comment.