Interference of Outside Gas Boxes

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

I wanted to alert all residents who have an outside gas box of the recent experience my elderly Mum went through.  For the whole weekend she was without hot water or heating.  An engineer arrived yesterday, on Monday, and discovered that somebody turned off her gas supply, using a key, as the box was locked both before, and afterwards.  If it had been an official visit my Mum would have received a card through her door, besides she's in credit with her bill anyway.  The only explanation is that somebody has done this with malicious intendancies.  I have now sorted out with the Estate office for her to have a key, which she never had before. 

It may be a one off incident, but if it happened once it may happen again, so I just wanted to inform all residents that if, for any reason, their gas supply suddenly disappears, to check their outside gas box, just in case it has been interfered with.  Its certainly a mystery as to why anyone would do this.

[Linda]

Hi  Maria 

 

It looks like it has happened again. My gas was switched off at some point on Friday, as was the gas supply of an elderly neighbour. When the gas company was called out on Saturday access to the external gas mains was not possible because the estate office holds the key. When we phoned the out- of - hours contact for the Estate, it was explained that it was probably the case that someone had accessed the gas sheds and deliberately switched the gas off?  We had to wait until today to get it switched back on. Why someone would do this is beyond me. It’s quite serious if someone is messing around with resident’s gas supply, as well as the risk it poses to vulnerable elderly residents left without heat. It seems what we experienced is a similar situation to that of your mum.

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

Hi Linda. 

This sounds terrible.  It sounds like your gas box is not outside your home, like my Mum's is, and if the Estate Office only hold the key to your one, then they are the ones responsible for what has happened.  And, simply saying that 'someone' did it is not acceptable.  If I were you I would contact the police, because this is a malicious act, and, as you say, particularly for an elderly person this is risky, especially during this cold weather.  This is a serious matter.  I think I will mention it to our local police officer.  Am sorry what has happened, as it is upsetting.