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UGI Gives Out Gift Cards To Families Affected By Gas Leaks

WILKES-BARRE — It’s been a hectic week for people living in one neighborhood in Wilkes-Barre. They’ve been forced out of their homes by gas le...

WILKES-BARRE -- It's been a hectic week for people living in one neighborhood in Wilkes-Barre. They've been forced out of their homes by gas leaks twice.

The most recent leak happened Thursday, on Christmas Eve.

It was the second gas leak in a week for many people who live along Stanton Street in Wilkes-Barre. For the Sanchez family, the past week has felt like felt like a fight they couldn't win. The first gas leak last week caused a fire in their furnace, leaving the family without heat.

“The weather is pretty warm right now, but sometime this week it's gonna get real cold,” said Carlos Sanchez.

UGI is now replacing the Sanchez’s furnace with a new one. The family stove is also being replaced. It too was damaged by the gas leak. On top of that, UGI gave the Sanchez's and their neighbors $500 worth of Master Card gift cards.

“Instead of going to McDonald's, we went to an expensive restaurant for the day, all my kids love it, my wife did, too,” Sanchez said.

Vance Dawson's grandmother used the gift cards to spread holiday cheer.

“They gave us the gift cards, and when they came, my grandmother put them into our stockings, so we all got a hundred dollars,” Dawson said.

Now, people who live along Stanton Street in Wilkes-Barre are just glad this Christmas nightmare is finally coming to an end.

"They came in, they put new water heaters in, I mean, I’m happy with that,” said Eric Keblish, who is still without a working furnace and a working stove. But he believes UGI is doing right by replacing his broken appliances.

UGI hopes to finish installing new furnaces and appliances to the affected homes on Stanton Street within a week.

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