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Power cut off after gas explosion Power cut off after gas explosion
(31 minutes later)
Residents and businesses could be without power for 24 hours or more after a gas explosion in Lancashire.Residents and businesses could be without power for 24 hours or more after a gas explosion in Lancashire.
About 17,000 properties are without electricity after a gas main ruptured, setting light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane in Rawtenstall.About 17,000 properties are without electricity after a gas main ruptured, setting light to an overhead power cable at Holme Lane in Rawtenstall.
Traffic on the nearby A56 Edenfield bypass is affected and neighbouring properties have been evacuated.Traffic on the nearby A56 Edenfield bypass is affected and neighbouring properties have been evacuated.
A United Utilities spokesman said homes were being given power for two-hour periods while the problem was fixed.A United Utilities spokesman said homes were being given power for two-hour periods while the problem was fixed.
Area closed off
A police cordon is in place around the affected area.A police cordon is in place around the affected area.
The United Utilities spokesman said about 30,000 homes had been affected but that number had now dropped to 17,000.The United Utilities spokesman said about 30,000 homes had been affected but that number had now dropped to 17,000.
'Inspecting damage'
Those homes were being served with a two-hour on, two-hour off rota system while the problem was being rectified.Those homes were being served with a two-hour on, two-hour off rota system while the problem was being rectified.
He said: "There has been a gas escape and fire this morning in the Rawtenstall area, underneath an electricity transmission line serving about 30,000 customers in Rossendale. He said: "There was a serious gas escape and fire this morning, on a gas main owned by National Grid.
"The fire service has requested that we shut off power to the line, in order to allow them to tackle the blaze. "The fire damaged an electricity line in the vicinity, owned by United Utilities.
"We will be assisting the fire service in any way we can, throughout this incident." "At the request of the fire service, United Utilities engineers shut off power to the electricity line at around midday, so that the blaze could be tackled.
"Our engineers are now in the process of inspecting the damage to the overhead line and a nearby substation, and are working hard to get power supplies back up and running."
He added: "However, we do estimate that it will be at least 24 hours before things will be back to normal.
"Residents who have power in the Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Helmshore areas can also assist by reducing their power consumption as much as possible. This will help us to distribute electricity more efficiently to customers in Rossendale."