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| Thousands in north-east England without power after storms | Thousands in north-east England without power after storms |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Up to 40,000 properties in the north-east of England were left without power after violent storms struck on the hottest day of the year so far. | Up to 40,000 properties in the north-east of England were left without power after violent storms struck on the hottest day of the year so far. |
| Most customers in County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland have now had supplies restored, with fewer than 100 still to be reconnected. | |
| There were no reported injuries, but some properties were damaged by lightning strikes. | There were no reported injuries, but some properties were damaged by lightning strikes. |
| Some vehicles were also damaged by golf ball-sized hailstones. | Some vehicles were also damaged by golf ball-sized hailstones. |
| "The storms caused damage to the overhead electricity network and resulted in power cuts for around 40,000 customers," said a spokesman for Northern Powergrid. | "The storms caused damage to the overhead electricity network and resulted in power cuts for around 40,000 customers," said a spokesman for Northern Powergrid. |
| "We diverted electricity supplies, where possible, through alternative routes to restore power to as many customers as possible while engineers worked to repair the damage. | "We diverted electricity supplies, where possible, through alternative routes to restore power to as many customers as possible while engineers worked to repair the damage. |
| "Our engineers are continuing their work to restore the remaining 7,500 customers still affected." | "Our engineers are continuing their work to restore the remaining 7,500 customers still affected." |
| One couple in the Blakelaw area of Newcastle escaped injury when their semi-detached house in Rawlston Way was hit by lightning. | One couple in the Blakelaw area of Newcastle escaped injury when their semi-detached house in Rawlston Way was hit by lightning. |
| The strike ripped a hole in the roof and started a small fire with neighbours rushing to help the couple. | The strike ripped a hole in the roof and started a small fire with neighbours rushing to help the couple. |
| "The lightning knocked the chimney off at the side of the house. It's the worst lightning I've ever seen and I hope I don't see anything like it again," said neighbour Kathleen Reynolds. | |
| The occupants of a detached house in Dean Park, Ferryhill, County Durham, were out when lightning started a fire in the roof of their house. | The occupants of a detached house in Dean Park, Ferryhill, County Durham, were out when lightning started a fire in the roof of their house. |
| Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, but parts of the interior were badly damaged. | Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, but parts of the interior were badly damaged. |
| Ben Lefevre said hailstones the size of golf balls caused damage to cars, house guttering and windows in and around his home in Sacriston, County Durham. | Ben Lefevre said hailstones the size of golf balls caused damage to cars, house guttering and windows in and around his home in Sacriston, County Durham. |
| Virgin Trains East Coast travellers faced delays of up to 30 minutes on Wednesday evening when a lightning strike caused signalling problems between Newcastle and York. | Virgin Trains East Coast travellers faced delays of up to 30 minutes on Wednesday evening when a lightning strike caused signalling problems between Newcastle and York. |
| A lightning strike between Monkseaton and Howdon also caused problems on the Tyne and Wear Metro. | A lightning strike between Monkseaton and Howdon also caused problems on the Tyne and Wear Metro. |
| Forecasters say more storms are possible as temperatures remain high over the next few days. | Forecasters say more storms are possible as temperatures remain high over the next few days. |