Our gas company did work on the lines and cut off the gas to our home. They have since reconnected the gas to the home. Every since they had done the work I have had to light the pilot light on my water heater multiple times. Now it won't light at all. The gas company says the safety starter has gone out. This water heater is just over a year old. Could the gas company's turning the gas off and/or working on the line caused damage to my water heater? It just doesn't add up that the water heater worked great until they did the work. Please help!:

Does you water heater have a sealed combustion chamber? If so, there is a combustion air vent that may need cleaning.