The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
More than 100 experts called out to gas leak
Massive operation swings into action to reconnect homes
A broken water main has been blamed for a major underground flood which forced the shutdown of gas supplies to more than 1,300 Perthshire homes.
More than 100 SGN engineers from across Scotland were scrambled to Scone on Tuesday night after water entered a gas main.
The source of the flood was discovered late on Wednesday, after more than 10,000 litres of water – some 2,200 gallons – was pumped away.
The Courier understands a water main had sprung a leak some time ago. Water which had been jetting out of the broken pipe had churned up small stones, which over time, damaged and cut a hole in the nearby gas main.
The water which flooded the underground trench is clean, suggesting that Scone’s infamous barrel drain – which collapsed and caused major flooding a few years ago – is not to blame.
The repairs on the main have been completed and engineers have started the long process of going door-to-door and physically turning gas supplies back on.
A spokeswoman for the company said: “Our engineers worked tirelessly through the night to complete the repair to our damaged main. We are now in the process of removing the final pockets of water from our network this morning.”
She added: “Despite good progress, when carrying out final checks we uncovered significant additional water in our gas network.
“Our focus remains to remove all of the water so we can begin to restore gas supplies as quickly as possible.”
A Scottish Water spokesman added: “We attended as quickly as possible after we were informed on Wednesday of an issue with water in the gas network in Scone.
“Our engineers identified a leak on a small water pipe adjacent to one of the affected gas pipes and repaired the leak on the water pipe last night.
“Scottish Water is working with SGN to investigate the cause of this issue and is providing whatever assistance is required to enable SGN to restore normal gas supplies to affected properties as quickly as possible.”
Local councillor Dennis Melloy said: “This is without doubt a major incident.
“Over 10,000 litres has been pumped out of the gas lines already which raises the question: where is the water coming?”
He added: “I am sure a full investigation into why this has happened will be implemented as soon as possible.
“SGN has pulled out all the stops in reacting to this emergency.”
Murdo Fraser MSP said: “Being without gas during the winter is particularly tough and I hope that elderly and vulnerable residents are able to get the support they need to ensure they are kept warm and have enough food.”