Homes and other buildings in south Devon have been left without gas after a mains pipe was damaged.
The outage, which affects properties on the Wales & West Utilities network in the Kingsbridge, Malborough and Salcombe area, started on Saturday afternoon with temperatures expected to drop to freezing overnight.
Wales and West said the outage was caused by a third party working on land at Belle Hill near Kingsbridge.
It said the repair was “very challenging” and “customers should be prepared for an interrupted gas supply for a few days”. It had offered vulnerable customers on its Priority Services Register “alternative heating and cooking facilities”.
Wales & West Utilities said people affected should not switch their gas supplies off, despite earlier advice from a local authority.
It said: “We are aware that some information has been issued by a third party advising customers to switch their own gas off. This advice should not be followed at this time.”
A company spokesperson said: “A third-party has damaged our gas main near Kingsbridge in Devon and we are aware that this is affecting gas supplies to customers in the area, as well as in Marlborough and Salcombe.
“Since being made aware of the damage caused to our pipe, our engineers have been on site planning the necessary repair and are now beginning the process of undertaking the work.
“This is a very challenging repair and it is too early at this stage to say how long it will take to fully restore supplies, however customers should be prepared for an interrupted gas supply for a few days.”
The company said it will update customers as the repair work continues.
“We have also been working hard making arrangements for customers in the area registered on the Priority Services Register to be provided with alternative cooking and heating facilities. We are working to reach these customers as quickly as we can and would ask for patience as we work our way around them.
“In the meantime, we would ask anyone who is aware of a family member or neighbour who may be vulnerable to check in on them until we reach them.
“We are also liaising with the local council to understand what additional support they can provide.
“We would like to thank people for bearing with us as we work to repair the damaged pipe and deal with the disruption it has caused.”
A further update would follow on Sunday morning, the company added.
The outage came amid warnings of ice and snow in Devon as temperatures are expected to drop to freezing overnight.
One woman wrote on Facebook: “Couldn’t be worse weather for this to happen. Please check on any elderly/vulnerable neighbours tonight.”
Offers of help including a spare electric heater for the vulnerable were being made on social media.
Tesco confirmed it had closed its superstore in Kingsbridge as a result of the outage.
“Engineers are working hard to reopen it as soon as possible,” said a spokesperson.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this temporary closure.”
The Codfather fish and chip shop and restaurant Maha-bharat in Kingsbridge announced they would not be opening as a result of the outage.
The Sunday service at Saint Peter’s and All Saints Church in Malborough near Salcombe has been cancelled, the church announced.
“We do apologise but the welfare of our friends must be our main consideration,” it said.
