Gas cut off over water heater fear

Towngas cut off 22 homes using gas water heaters yesterday in the wake of Sunday's gassing in which two people died.

In efforts to contact users of the German-made Vaillant 125/8, Towngas staff visited eight estates in North Point and Aberdeen as well as Shekkipmei, where Kan Ho-kin, 13, and Wong Shue-kwung, 26, were found dead with the gas heater on and all the windows closed.

But the 85 staff gained access to only 510 flats out of 970 visited. They intend to inspect 15,800 flats by the week's end. In addition, staff telephoned some 5,700 homes, contacting 4,300.

Fifty-seven households agreed to replace water heaters and 50 agreed to take out aluminium windows, which add to the risk when the heaters are used.

Eleven households refused to take any action, despite a 40 per cent discount on a newer model offered by Towngas.

Towngas spokesman Lee Hon-wan said the heaters were safe if used with adequate ventilation.

Tests at the Shekkipmei flat yesterday showed the heater produced a carbon monoxide level of 1,000 parts per million within one minute - 10 times the danger level.