A MASSIVE community operation has swung into action at Silsden where much of the town is into its second day without any gas.

Supplies to more than 3,700 properties were cut off yesterday morning when contractors working on a housing scheme off Belton Road damaged a main.

Northern Gas Networks sent its engineers to the scene and has drafted in back-up from other companies to restore supplies as quickly as possible.

But householders and businesses have been warned it could be "a number of days" before the problem is resolved.

The company behind the housing scheme has today apologised to residents "for the inconvenience this is causing."

An emergency incident room was set-up at St James' Church hall, where residents could get help.

Over 1,000 heaters and other essential items such as heat plates have been distributed.

And hot food is being made available.

The Friends of Silsden Town Hall have offered facilities at its building, which could be used tomorrow when Easter Sunday celebrations take place at the church.

NGN said that as part of the operation, its teams needed to access all affected properties to isolate the gas supply allowing for repairs to the mains to be carried out.

More than 100 engineers are visiting properties this morning.

NGN has been joined onsite by 40 community volunteers, representatives from the Red Cross and Bradford Council staff to help provide support.

Iain Foster, the company's network supply strategy manager, praised the response and thanked customers for their "patience and co-operation".

He added: "We have had a fantastic response from external partners and members of the public assisting us.

"But we have a large task ahead of us.

"We'd like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and will be providing customers with regular updates on our progress.

"Our engineers were working late into the night to access properties and were supported by additional resources from other companies in this process.

"We've set-up the onsite customer support centre at St James' Church hall where people can speak with our customer care team.

"If anyone requires additional support they can speak to a member of the team onsite or phone the customer care team on 0800 040 7766."

Barratt, the housebuilder behind the Belton Road scheme, today apologised to townspeople.

A spokesman said: "We have been made aware that a contractor working on our Saxon Dene development in Silsden damaged a gas main affecting gas supplies in the area.

"We apologise to residents for the inconvenience this is causing and have offered Northern Gas Networks our full support as they work to reinstate the supply."

Tribute has been paid to the company and to the public spiritedness of people in the community.

Town and district councillor Adrian Naylor said he'd been contacted by a number of concerned residents and had visited the emergency centre.

"About 8,000 people are affected – virtually all the town," said Cllr Naylor.

"I must say the response from Northern Gas Networks has been fantastic, I can't praise them enough. People came in on the Bank Holiday to help.

"And the community is pulling together."

MP John Grogan was briefed on the situation last night, at a meeting with NGN representatives and the council leader.

"It is an impressive operation that has been put onsite quickly," he said.

"There were 26 fitters working in the town yesterday evening. Today there will be 120 fitters plus another 80 staff.

"There is a strong community spirit in evidence, with many local people giving up their Bank Holiday weekend to assist.

"I am hopeful that the restoration of supplies could begin today but I understand this is likely to be a phased process. It could be several days before full supplies are restored.

"The properties nearest the new development at Belton Road where the supply was breached will be turned on first and then the rest of the town in sequence.

"Staff have to visit all 3,752 properties in Silsden to isolate the gas supply to every property so it is then safe to start introducing gas back into the network.

"Every property is then visited again to assist with turning the gas and appliances back on.

"A letter will will be delivered to all houses today. Volunteers will help distribute them."

He added that some vulnerable residents were being housed in hotels.

Food vouchers are available at the church hall, redeemable at food vans outside the building or at Eastburn fish and chip shop.

Shower facilities have been made available at Keighley Leisure Centre until 7.30pm today and again from 8am until 4pm tomorrow.

NGN says customers will receive compensation for loss of supply. Details will be announced soon.

Andrew Hopkins, its director of operations, said: "We'll be working round the clock to help NGN repair the network and get the gas flowing again as safely and as quickly as possible."

Meanwhile, Northern Powergrid is monitoring the electricity network for any potential knock-on surges in demand while residents are without gas.

Any significant overloading of the network could increase chances of damage and result in a power cut.

Northern Powergrid has teams on standby to respond if necessary, but residents are being urged to be aware of their energy usage to help prevent any issues.

Advice includes: minimise the use of appliances and switch-off or unplug any electrical equipment you don't need and heat only essential rooms; stagger the use of high-demand appliances such as cookers, heaters, kettles, immersion heaters, electric showers, dishwashers, tumble driers and washing machines.