Power has been restored to up to 80 houses in a County Durham village and a road has reopened after residents and businesses lost electricity on Sunday (June 26) evening, due to an electrical pole ‘exploding’ in the rural community.

Firefighters from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, alongside engineers from Northern Powergrid, attended Front Street in Great Lumley at around 7pm after reports of an electrical piece of equipment seen ‘sparking’ before it burst into flames just outside Co-op.

Read more: LIVE: Electric fault closes road and homes without power in County Durham 

During the outage, several businesses were forced to close, including Indian restaurant and takeaway Haveli, and Co-op – with the owners of Haveli taking to social media on Sunday (June 26) to say: “We are CLOSED tonight.

“Unfortunately, an electric pole outside the Co-op has exploded and power is off in parts of the village, including our takeaway and restaurant.

The Northern Echo: Flames coming from the electrical pole in Great Lumley on Sunday (June 26). Picture: MICHAEL TAYLORFlames coming from the electrical pole in Great Lumley on Sunday (June 26). Picture: MICHAEL TAYLOR

“We apologise for any inconvenience. We will update you all as soon as power resumes.”

Parts of Front Street also had to be closed to allow engineers and firefighters to work, which impacted several Go North East services through Great Lumley.

The Northern Echo: Parts of Front Street in Great Lumley had to be closed to allow engineers and firefighters to work. Picture: HAVELIParts of Front Street in Great Lumley had to be closed to allow engineers and firefighters to work. Picture: HAVELI

On Monday (June 27) morning, the power has been restored and Front Street has reopened, according to Northern Powergrid and Highways England.

Businesses have also reopened following the power outage, with Co-op Great Lumley confirming they were open from 6am until 11pm as usual.

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