Thursday, February 12, 2004

Just after eight this morning, the lights went out, the computers died and the radios went dead. A major power failure hit homes and businesses throughout the Calder Valley - Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Heptonstall, Cragg Vale and more.

The centre of Hebden Bridge was full of smiling faces, not least those of children sent home from Riverside and Central Street Schools because the "fire alarm wasn't working".

Although power was restored to the Hebden Bridge area at around 9.45, it was much later in other areas.

Mytholmroyd resident Anne Handley told the Hebweb, "The cause of the problem is just across the road from me. There was a blinding flash of light and a loud bang here at 8 am and according to Townson Thorners, opposite me, it was a major electrical junction box of some kind. It's happen before when a squirrel got into it."

Previous power failure

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