COPLAY, Pa.—A utility is working to restore gas service to hundreds of homes in two eastern Pennsylvania communities as the region battles a brutal cold spell.

UGI spokesman Joe Swope tells The Express-Times of Easton (http://bit.ly/YqnHmJ) that service had been restored to about three-quarters of the affected customers by Thursday afternoon.

UGI had shut off service to about 1,000 homes in Coplay and North Whitehall on Wednesday after a problem led to low gas pressure in the system. Swope says that's now repaired.

However, officials say gas and heat can only be restored by visiting each individual house.

Swope says the utility hopes for full restoration as residents return home from work in the evening.

———

Information from: The (Easton, Pa.) Express-Times, http://www.lehighvalleylive.com