Some elective surgeries at Whyalla Hospital were cancelled as a result of the pipeline rupture. (SA Health)

Some elective surgeries at Whyalla Hospital were cancelled as a result of the pipeline rupture. (SA Health)

Residents in a South Australia town have switched off their gas supplies to guarantee the local hospital remains unaffected after a ruptured pipeline cut off 10,000 users.

The line, which services the two mid-north regional centres of Port Pirie and Whyalla, ruptured on the weekend and has interrupted activity at Port Pirie’s Nyrstar smelter.

Up to 1200 residents voluntarily shut off their supplies at the meter to ensure Whyalla Hospital would not be affected.

“Gas supplies to Whyalla Hospital are continuing, and there has been no disruption to current services,” SA Health said in a written statement.

Some elective surgeries at the hospital were cancelled as a result of the disruption.

April 13, 2015: Residents have been left without heating and hot water and some businesses forced to close after the rupture of a major gas line.

The pipeline’s owners Epic Energy SA said crews were working non-stop to fix the problem. It is expected almost 10,000 gas consumers will be without supplies for the remainder of this week as crews work to restore the pipeline, which runs from Moomba to Adelaide.

The affected area covers homes and businesses in Whyalla and Port Pirie. Customers were warned not to connect gas appliances to any alternative supplies, such as LPG cylinders, which could result in a fire or explosion.

Police said there was a minimum risk to public safety because the rupture occurred in an isolated area, however road closures were put in place at Caltowie, Gladstone and Jamestown.

Crews are excavating up to 80m of the pipeline to check for further leaks.

It is believed the rupture was caused by a minor earthquake.