It could be a gas leak and it will be dangerous - if you mention the words "gas leak" to your supplier they will be out like a shot - and rightly so and may permanently disable the appliance until you get it repaired - which might be a difficult thing to do with no gas supply.
I found this on a UK web site...
If you can smell gas strongly:
* Turn off the gas lever at the mains, which is next to the gas meter, by pulling the lever down.
* Don't operate electrical switches - on or off. A spark could cause an explosion.
* Open all doors and windows.
* Put out cigarettes and any naked flames.
* Avoid rooms with a strong smell of gas if possible as you may be overpowered.
* Ring the local gas emergency telephone number: 0800 111999 immediately.
If there is a weaker smell of gas...
* Check if a pilot light on a cooker, gas water heater, or gas fire has gone out, or a burner on the cooker has gone out.
* Make sure you have turned off gas knobs properly.
* If you find there is a leak, turn off the pilot light if there is a tap, or switch off gas at the mains by the gas meter.
* Put out cigarettes, naked flames and switch off electric fires.
* Open all doors and windows to let any lingering gas escape. Wait till smell of gas goes.
* Turn on gas again at the mains, if you turned if off.
* Relight the pilot light or burner.
* If the smell of gas returns, phone your local gas emergency number immediately. Treat it as a serious gas leak and follow above procedures.
Peccavi, July 2009
