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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Liam Thorp

Heating back on for couple left freezing in dressing gowns for a week

A Liverpool couple left in a freezing home for a week because of a British Gas error are finally able to heat their home again.

Earlier today the ECHO told the story of John and Julie Murphy, both 63, who live together in Speke. The couple were at their wit's end after being unable to top up their gas for a week.

John and Julie have been customers of British Gas for 43 years and described their treatment by the company as "diabolical" as they tried to find out what was going on with their gas supply. Julie said she was brought to tears as she was fobbed off time and time again.

READ MORE: Mum buying 100 Lidl cucumbers 'barred' after manager runs over

The lack of supply meant the couple were forced to use blankets and dressing gowns to try and stay warm in their freezing home. They were also unable to have their grandchildren over to stay because the house was so cold.

After the ECHO got in touch with British Gas yesterday to ask them about John and Julie's situation, they finally sent an engineer to assess the problem.

The engineer has replaced their meter on a temporary basis meaning they are currently not being charged for their gas supply while the wider issue is dealt with and fixed.

Julie and John Murphy (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

John said: "It's good to be able to have the heating on again, we haven't turned it off since. We still haven't had a proper explanation for what happened but the main thing is we can heat the house."

Julie was called this afternoon by an executive from British Gas who apologised profusely for the situation and suggested the couple may be in line for some compensation.

Julie said: "We didn't raise this for compensation, we just wanted our gas back on. It should not have taken for the ECHO to get involved to get this sorted. We have been customers of British Gas for 43 years, they should have just listened to us."

A British Gas spokesperson said: “We would like to apologise to Mr and Mrs Murphy for the issues with their meter. An engineer visited the property last night to exchange it and they are now back on supply.”

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