This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-28084409
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Explosion cuts power to homes in Leicester | Explosion cuts power to homes in Leicester |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 100 homes are set to be without power for much of the day following an explosion at an electricity substation in Leicester. | More than 100 homes are set to be without power for much of the day following an explosion at an electricity substation in Leicester. |
Fire crews put out a blaze at the site in the Sanvey Gate area of the city after the explosion was heard at about 02:00 BST. | Fire crews put out a blaze at the site in the Sanvey Gate area of the city after the explosion was heard at about 02:00 BST. |
Police have set up an exclusion zone, and nearby roads including the A6 St Margaret's Way have been closed. | Police have set up an exclusion zone, and nearby roads including the A6 St Margaret's Way have been closed. |
Western Power said it was working to restore the electricity supply. | Western Power said it was working to restore the electricity supply. |
'Large crack' | 'Large crack' |
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue said part of the 40-year-old substation would need to be demolished. | Leicestershire Fire and Rescue said part of the 40-year-old substation would need to be demolished. |
A BBC reporter at the scene described seeing debris strewn across the road and a large crack down one side of the building. | A BBC reporter at the scene described seeing debris strewn across the road and a large crack down one side of the building. |
Colin Randle, distribution manager for Western Power, blamed a "component failure" for causing the explosion, which he said had made the building unstable. | Colin Randle, distribution manager for Western Power, blamed a "component failure" for causing the explosion, which he said had made the building unstable. |
He said engineers were working with emergency services to make the site safe and the latest estimate for a return of power was mid-afternoon. | He said engineers were working with emergency services to make the site safe and the latest estimate for a return of power was mid-afternoon. |
Businesses have also been affected with some unable to open. | |
Geoff Giles, from Nedis UK, an electronics wholesaler located in Sanvey Gate, said he did not expect power to return until Tuesday. | |
He said: "Without power we can't do anything. I'm relieved I wasn't in the building when the substation went up, it could have been a far lot worse." |