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4,600 Homes in South Devon Lose Gas Amid Freeze

1/4/2026

38 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Approximately 4,600 homes in South Devon are without gas after a mains pipe near Kingsbridge was damaged on Saturday amid freezing temperatures.
Wales and West Utilities (WWU) is deploying over 100 engineers to restore supplies, prioritising vulnerable customers.
The outage affects Kingsbridge, Malborough, and Salcombe.
Residents should stay home for engineer visits.
Some schools, including Kingsbridge Primary, will close due to lack of heating.

History

Historical Context

The UK's gas supply crisis in 1970, triggered by a major pipeline failure, left over 1 million homes without heating during winter. This incident echoed the 1973 energy crisis, which forced the government to rely on coal amid rising oil prices and economic recession. Such historical challenges highlight the ongoing need for resilient energy infrastructure and emergency preparedness in the face of extreme weather.

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Story summary

Approximately 4,600 homes in South Devon are without gas after a mains pipe near Kingsbridge was damaged on Saturday amid freezing temperatures.
Wales and West Utilities (WWU) is deploying over 100 engineers to restore supplies, prioritising vulnerable customers.
The outage affects Kingsbridge, Malborough, and Salcombe.
Residents should stay home for engineer visits.
Some schools, including Kingsbridge Primary, will close due to lack of heating.

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