Surge blast destroys appliances

TERRIFIED . . . Edith and Joseph Batters

TERRIFIED pensioners were shocked when a huge power surge blew out lights and appliances in their homes.

The voltage — 800 volts, almost four times the standard mains voltage - surged through their sheltered accommodation and destroyed many plugged-in electrical devices, from washing machines to TVs.

Elderly residents living in a group of nine bungalows on Wildmoor Avenue, Holts, were woken up by a loud bang as the surge struck appliances.

Joseph Batters (74) said: “I have never heard a bang like that before in all my life. It was really frightening, we didn’t know what was going on. I could hear banging and see flashes; it was terrifying.

“When we got up again next morning we realised loads of things, like our TV, stereo and DVD player, had been destroyed and all our lights had blown.”

Electricity North West repaired some appliances and offered goodwill payments to replace items that couldn’t be repaired. They have also carried out inspections to make sure the same problem - a fault at an electricity substation - can’t happen again.

“These faults are thankfully very rare but we do understand residents’ concerns,” said a spokesman.

Residents affected by the fault can contact Electricity North West on 0800-195 4141