Stannington: Unprecedented 'gas flood' leaves thousands shivering, cancels events and closes businesses in run up to Christmas

By David Walsh
Published 3rd Dec 2022, 17:28 BST
Updated 3rd Dec 2022, 17:51 BST
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Over 1,200 homes and businesses in Sheffield have been hit by an unprecedented ‘gas flood’ which has seen water gush out of meters, boilers, hobs, ovens and fires.​​​​​​​

Hundreds of homes and buildings across Stannington and Hillsborough are without heating and face days of disruption after a water main ruptured on Sheldon Road in Stannington at 11pm on Friday. High pressure water blasted holes in gas pipes and flooded the network.

People took to Facebook to report the incident - and post videos - while others warned of cancelled events and closed businesses.

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On Facebook, Christopher Saunders said: ‘Its affected High Matlock Road and blown gas meters apart! Luckily no injuries or fire or explosions as some houses were filled with gas.’

Cadent says it has called in staff from across the North and Midlands.Cadent says it has called in staff from across the North and Midlands.
Cadent says it has called in staff from across the North and Midlands.

Joanne Kassim said: “We have no gas whatsoever, no heating, no hot water and no electric shower either, it’s ridiculous’.

The incident comes at a crucial time in the run up to Christmas. Christ Church Stannington announced a festive event had been axed.

It said: ‘I'm so sorry but the Christmas Sing has had to be cancelled due to the issues with the gas in Stannington. We are hoping it might be possible to reschedule’.

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Debs at Haircraft on Loxley Road was forced to cancel all her appointments because here boiler was out of action. She said: ‘Nightmare! Lost a full day’s work’.

A water pipe ruptured under the road at the junction of Bankfield Lane and Sheldon Road in Stannington.A water pipe ruptured under the road at the junction of Bankfield Lane and Sheldon Road in Stannington.
A water pipe ruptured under the road at the junction of Bankfield Lane and Sheldon Road in Stannington.

The Peacock at Stannington said its kitchen was closed due to its gas supply being affected.

Samantha Walker was one of many who posted their disbelief: ‘I saw this elsewhere and assumed it was a joke. Can this really happen?’

Gas company Cadent said engineers need to visit every property to safely switch off supply before it can pump water out of the gas pipes. It warned: ‘This will take time’.

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A Cadent spokeswoman said Yorkshire Water fixed the burst main in the early hours of Saturday. Cadent now has 30 engineers going door-to-door and 20 working to fix pipes and pump them out. They would need to visit a second time after the repairs to check appliances, she added.

Cadent has 30 engineers going door-to-door and turning off gas supplies and 20 working to fix and pump out pipes.Cadent has 30 engineers going door-to-door and turning off gas supplies and 20 working to fix and pump out pipes.
Cadent has 30 engineers going door-to-door and turning off gas supplies and 20 working to fix and pump out pipes.

They were also working with Sheffield City Council to help elderly and vulnerable people. But they were not handing out electric fires to people without heating over fears it would overload the supply and cause a power cut.

The advice is to stay heat just one room and wear extra layers. A community hub has been set up at The Lomas Hall on Church Street for people to get help or advice.