Hundreds of properties hit by electricity cut in Cheltenham UPDATE
Around 1,800 properties were affected by an electricity failure today in Cheltenham.
It is understood the power failed after a surge caused a small explosion in a sub-station under the Strozzi Palace Hotel in the town centre, next to the library at the junction of St George's Place and Clarence Street.
Around 1,300 properties had power restored by 3pm and Western Power Distribution are bringing in emergency generators to restore supply to other areas.
It is understood that the power should be restored to the remaining 500 properties by 6pm today.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service received a call from a concerned member of the public at 1.04pm saying they could see smoke issuing from the building in Clarence Street
Two appliances from Cheltenham East and West Stations were sent to the area and the source of the fire was pinpointed to a sub station where it was believed a small explosion had taken place.
Western Power were also quickly in attendance and Fire and Rescue crews used 1 jet, 2 hose reels, a dry powder extinguisher were used to ensure the fire was fully extinguished safely and a thermal image camera was used to ensure there were no more hot spots.
Crews were then detained further asssisting Western Power for safety whilst they investigated and made essential repairs. In total appliances were detained on the scene for two and half hours.
* Were you affected by the powercut? Email your view to matt.holmes@northcliffedigitial.co.uk
Comments
by eyeopener
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 9:23PM
“This is not just any electricity sub-station..... it is in fact part of Cheltenham's original electricity network and the building was built in 1894 and modelled on the Strozzi Palace in Florence. Hence the hotel being named after it.
At the time the input voltage from the power station was 2000 volts and it was transformed down to 100 volts at the unusual frequency of 94Hz. It was became a Grade II listed building in May 1986 after being sponsored by the Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archeology.
Tyhe sub-station stands on the corner of Clarence Street and St. Georges Place. It is well worth a look. As sub-stations go this must be one of, if not the prettiest sub-stations anywhere in the country.”
by Ms_Superstar
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 7:44PM
“Wait until electric cars become popular - then we'll see some power failures and exploding substations!”
by sam5064
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 3:35PM
“"* Were you affected by the powercut? Email your view to........"
A fairly dark one I would suspect?”