Newton Abbot fire sparks South Devon power cut
UP TO 40,000 homes and businesses across South Devon were without power this morning as supplies were cut.
Homes in Torquay and Kingskerswell were in darkness, and Torbay Hospital was among the locations affected by the power cut just after 11am.
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Traffic lights at Penn Inn on the outskirts of Newton Abbot were out, as were the lights at Lawes Bridge in Torquay, where staff from the nearby McDonalds were helping to direct traffic.
Firefighters confirmed that the cause of the blackout had been a fire at a sub-station next to Yeo Valley on the Brunel industrial Estate in Newton Abbot at 10.57am.
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There were reports of a loud bang and flames.
Two fire engines from Newton Abbot were sent to the scene and on arrival confirmed that there had been a fire involving electrical transformers.
The fire was already out on their arrival.
Power was restored to most locations around 11.30am. Newton Abbot homes had power back by 11.50am.
Western Power Distribution said they were working to restore full power to all locations.
The power cut caused lifts to fail in a number of locations. Firefighters freed people from lifts at Wilkinsons and the Job Centre in Newton Abbot and at Marks and Spencer at the Willows.
Thanks to Twitter followers @nubcakeone @mdunderwood @tufcmatthew @queen_smith @bernoid and @debmmademaid for keeping us up to date. Follow us @thisissdevon to join our growing online community
Comments
by colli27
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 3:29PM
“Jules898, it says power restored to 'most' locations not all. We lost power at our office at 11 and we got it back for 20 past. Your comment of as is 1/2 of Newton and Torquay is a little pedantic because how would you know that. The fact of the matter is the power cut happened, the fire crews responded, Western Power responded and the latest news was on the site to inform people whats happening. Instead of moaning you should be thankful there were people helping with reports from twitter etc.”
by Othursty1
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 3:29PM
“jules898, your point has been taken into account by the HE, showing a photo of a lady who is halding one working bulb and one non-working bulb, so 50/50 is not too bad. To go one further, I like the way they also added one 1/2 of her holding a non-working bulb while the other 1/2 holds a working bulb. Genious.”
by Teign_Scouts
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 1:25PM
“Amazed that there were people in the Job Centre”
by AlexNuggz
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:59AM
“Caused mayhem to our switches, blew a couple of Fibre modules”
by jules898
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 11:57AM
“Power restored to most locations by 11:30...........I think not! Pen Inn traffic lights are still out, as is 1/2 of Newton and Torquay.....! This is at 11:57.”