Supplies to homes, businesses, schools and the local cottage hospital were lost around 8am Monday when a governor failed.
Scotia Gas Networks confirmed it could be three days at least before supplies are restored.
Overnight temperatures in the
area are forecast to fall to minus 3 centigrade.
Engineers will have to visit every property to ensure that all systems have been shut down before attempts can be may to restore the supply.
They will have to make a second safety check before equipment such as fires, cookers, water heaters and central heating system can be used.
A spokesman for Scotia Gas Networks commented : "Additional engineers have been drafted into the area to speed up the process of restoring supplies but residents need to be aware that due to the scale of the incident, this may take several days to complete.
"The relevant caring agencies are being contacted to ensure alternative arrangements are made for elderly or vulnerable residents."
He confirmed the loss was as a result of a governor failing - but said they did not know why it had failed.
Council boss says vulnerable will be protectedA spokesperson for NHS Borders said space heaters were being used at the cottage hospital.
Broomlands and Edenside Primary schools as well as the High School have been closed and will remain closed on Tuesday. But council officials have warned the closures could be extended.
The Leader of Scottish Borders Council David Parker told TheSouthern : "Our social work and education teams are doing what needs to be done to protect the vulnerable."
And a warm drop-in centre is being opened by the council on Tuesday morning at the High school to provide food.
Scotia's spokesman coinfirmed :"Temporary cooking and heating facilities are being made available to those customers who are particularly vulnerable such as those who are elderly, chronically sick or disabled, have young children or other special needs. These are available through the incident centre set up in Kelso High School.
Most of the properties hit by the gas loss are on the north side of the town. An incident centre has been established at Kelso High school and a 24-hour helpline - 0845 070 1432 - has been established.
And Scottish Borders Council say they can be contacted on their out-of-hours number - (Bordercare) 01896 752 111.
- Schools closed on Tuesday - Edenside Primary. Broomlands Primary. Kelso High.
- Essential numbers - Scottish Borders Council out of hours (Bordercare) 01896 752 111. Scotia Gas Network 24-hour helpline - 0845 070 1432
- Incident Centre - Kelso High School
- Warm Centre - a drop in centre with hot food opens Tuesday morning at the High School
The full article contains 473 words and appears in THE SOUTHERN REPORTER newspaper.
