In its 144 years as a borough, Coplay has not experienced anything like what it encountered last Wednesday.

A UGI equipment failure knocked out service to more than 1,000 homes and businesses during one of the coldest days of winter. All of the borough and a section of Hokendauqua in Whitehall Township were affected.

Repairs began immediately at the regulator station at Eighth and Hokendauqua streets in the borough. Many residents decided to stay home with small electric heaters and extra blankets when UGI informed them heat service would be restored during the evening or early Thursday morning.

UGI set up a central command center on the grounds of the Coplay Saengerbund on Fifth Street and Schreiber Avenue.

Lehigh County Emergency Management also set up a mobile unit and command center at the site. The club's paved parking lot was used as a staging area for a fleet of UGI vans, trucks and cars and personnel. UGI later moved its command center to the borough hall and council chambers.

The Red Cross set up a shelter in the borough hall.

Coplay Mayor Joseph Bundra and Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. were present for a news conference held by UGI. A number of people attended to find out when gas service would be restored.

Bundra actively went from home to home. He also went to St. Peter's Catholic Church rectory seeking permission to use the church facilities as a second shelter if needed. It turned out the church facilities were not needed, however.

Coplay Police Chief Vince Genovese said everyone involved did a spectacular job, including UGI, Lehigh County, the borough and Whitehall police, the mayors, borough EMA Coordinator Tim Keller, the Red Cross and the Lehigh County EMA.

"Our officers assisted UGI to 29 homes where the residents were not home so UGI could shut off their access to gas," Genovese said. A locksmith retained by UGI opened residents' doors with a UGI member and a police officer present. Notices were left at the residences informing customers of the gas shutdown.

"I was very well pleased with the response and the fact the firm had brought in crews from their entire service unit," Hozza said, echoing words spoken by Bundra. UGI crews responded from Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and other regions. PECO of Philadelphia was also recognized for its assistance and efforts.

"It was a tough job. It was a cold night. We got everyone back in their homes," Brian Slinskey, UGI operations manager for Lehigh County, told The Press.

After going to each residence and business to shut off service, UGI personnel then had to return "to light up" service.

The Lehigh Valley County Animal Response Team had personnel and equipment at the borough hall to take care of dogs or cats should the owners bring them while the residences were without heat.

UGI also offered vouchers for anyone who wanted to stay at a hotel while their heat was off. Cots also were available at the borough hall, but residents preferred staying home.