VORONEZH, November 30 (RIA Novosti) - About 10,000 residents have been left without heating after a pipeline rupture in Kursk in central Russia, the regional emergencies center said on Sunday.

The accident at the pipeline occurred at around 3:30 a.m. Moscow time (0:30 GMT) on Sunday, leaving 16 residential houses and about 10,000 residents without heat. Specialists are planning to finish repairs by 4:00-5:00 p.m. Moscow time (1:00-2:00 GMT), the emergencies center said.

"The place of the rupture has been found, the faulty pipe section has been cut off and specialists are planning to complete welding works and supply heat to residents in the next two to three hours," the emergencies center said.

The temperature in Kursk is above 2-3 degrees Centigrade (35-37 Fahrenheit) and the heat pipeline has had no time to freeze, the emergencies ministry said.

Failures of heating systems are common in Russia in the fall and winter season due to outdated pipelines.