Around 100 homes experienced brief electrical fires and blow-outs after thieves broke into an electricity substation.
Up to 1700 properties in Wisbech were left without power after the attempted theft of valuable metal from the sub-station, according to the Peterborough Evening Telegraph. Initially, just one crew was sent to the substation where they found it had blown but there was no fire. But as local residents started reporting blow outs to their TVs and washing machines, four more appliances were dispatched to the scene.
Firefighters then went around the affected area reassuring local residents and making sure their appliances were safe.
“We were called to complaints of smoke from television sets and loud bangs from electrical items such as washing machines, as well as television sets, at about 100 homes,” a fire service spokesperson told the newspaper.
“Initially, just one crew from Wisbech was dispatched but as the scale of the incident became clear four more appliances were sent to the scene.
“On arrival, firefighters found the substation had blown, but no sign of fire. Crews attended properties that had reported bangs to make sure there was no danger to occupants.”
A spokesman for UK Power Networks said: “Engineers worked through the night, checking to ensure internal wiring systems at properties are safe. All properties fed by the affected underground cables have to be checked before power can be restored.”
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