Some 4500 customers in Huntly and Keith hit by second gas outage
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AROUND 4500 households in Keith and Huntly are without gas this morning.
SGN engineers are currently on site investigating the cause and are working to restore supplies.
It is the second major gas outage in as many months for residents in the two towns, who in freezing early February were left without gas for nearly two days.
A similar number of customers were affected then, including care homes and hospitals.
Around 100 SGN engineers were drafted in from around Scotland to restore the energy supply.
An SGN spokesperson said today: "We appreciate residents were without their gas supplies earlier in the year and we’re sorry you’re being inconvenienced again today.
"At this time, it’s difficult to say exactly how long it will take to restore supplies.
"We will be contacting residents who are registered on the Priority Services Register to offer extra support while you’re without your supply.
"We know it’s not easy being without your gas supply and we’re extremely sorry for this disruption."
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said: "Once again a large number of households in Keith have been affected by a major gas supply outage.
"This will be incredibly frustrating for local residents and puts additional pressure on other services such as housing and social care working to support vulnerable residents.
"I am seeking an urgent meeting with SGN who are responsible for the gas supply to get an understanding of why there has been a further major outage so soon after the last one and what they are doing to ensure there is better resilience in this vital energy supply."
Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, said: "For a loss of gas supply to happen once is understandable – but for it to happen again just a month later is more than a little concerning.
"Residents will understandably be worried at this happening again and I have contacted SGN to find out what is causing this major issue and how these problems can be overcome.
"I want to commend Aberdeenshire Council and other multi-agency groups for their quick response in challenging circumstances.
"These unfortunate incidents prove just how strong the community spirit is in these areas."
SGN is asking customers to turn off their gas supply at the meter. Click here for steps on how to turn off the supply.
People are asked not to turn their gas back on until told it is safe to do so.
Anyone affected can call SGN on 0800 912 1717.
