Breaking news: Northern, 390 homes left without gas service

A total of 390 homes and much of Montana State University-Northern were left without gas service Friday after a mistake by workers.

Crews from around Montana were called in to help local staff, said NorthWestern Energy spokeswoman Claudia Rapkoch.

Workers shut off a zone valve, thinking there was an alternate source of gas for area homes, she said. There was not, and as pressure was reduced, service was cut off to residences, she said.

She was not sure what part of Havre was affected.

She said crews were visiting the affected homes and shutting off the service. That task was nearly completed Friday by 6 p.m. Friday, she said.

The next task will be to pressurize the gas. When that is complete, she said, crews will revisit the homes to restart pilot lights.

If people are not home, a note will be left on customers' doors explaining the situation and urging people to call NorthWestern Energy so staffers can return to restart the pilot light, she said.

She said she didn't know if crews would be working throughout the night, but if not, they will resume work Saturday morning.

Rapkoch apologized to customers for the inconvenience, and said service will be restored as soon as possible.