A TOTAL of 75 residents in South Ockendon are currently have problems with their boilers.

The Thurrock Gazette understands residents found a powdered substance in their boiler and that it is suspected this came from the gas main.

A spokesman for National Grid said: “Currently there are 75 properties experiencing problems with their gas supply in the South Ockendon area of Essex.

“We are checking our gas mains network in the area to ensure there are no faults with it which may be contributing to this issue.

“National Grid Gas is responsible for the local gas supply system up to people’s gas meters which includes gas mains and service pipes.

“We are also advising people to contact Gas Safe Registered engineers who can check their internal gas supply system to see whether there is a fault with it.

“Alternative electric cooking and heating appliances have been left where needed for residents experiencing gas supply problems.

“At this stage we do not know what is causing the problems with the supply and whether it is a problem with our network or not.

“We’re doing all we can to assist with the investigations into the issue.”