A MAJOR gas fault which has left hundreds of residents freezing in their homes all week could possibly have been avoided, it was revealed today.

The Evening Press has learned that the problem was initially discovered by gas supplier Transco at a house in Salisbury Terrace on Sunday, and not on Monday afternoon as previously believed.

Engineers found that water was seeping into the gas pipes, but went home until the following day - because they did not think it was a serious problem.

By Monday afternoon, however, the water had cut off gas supplies to about 300 other homes in eight streets in the Leeman Road area and emergency heaters were dished out to residents.

The news comes as more than 200 residents today woke to their fifth day without heat, as engineers continued to pump water out of the system. Temperatures dropped to -6C overnight.

Arthur and June Simpson, who live at the house in Salisbury Terrace, confirmed that they were visited by engineers at about 4pm on Sunday after their gas supply gave out.

Mr Simpson said the workers discovered water had got into their gas pipe but they were unable to pump it out.

The Transco team left after a couple of hours only to return on Monday with more workers to find that the problem had escalated.

A Transco engineer, who asked not to be named, claimed the majority of homes would not have been affected if bosses had drafted in workers on Sunday to correct the fault.

"It could have been prevented," he claimed.

Freezing Leeman Road residents today reacted with shock at the news.

Pensioner Harry Reeves, of Carnot Street, who has been shivering in his house since Monday, said he was "disgusted". He said: "They (Transco) should have had everyone out on Sunday night. If anything does happen to me I will sue them."

But a Transco spokeswoman said there was nothing to suggest the problem was anything other than an isolated incident on Sunday.

"There were no other reported problems and no problems at nearby homes because we checked," she said. "In accordance with procedures and in agreement with the householder we arranged to come back the following morning, which we did.

"If there had been any indication of a more widespread problem we would have responded accordingly.

"We would like to thank people for their patience and assure them that absolutely everything possible is being done to restore supplies to their homes."

Updated: 10:35 Friday, December 03, 2004