UPDATED: The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have erected a large cordon around an leaf-covered electricity pole that has caught fire in Colwell Bay this evening (Thursday).
It is understood an overhead electricity cable has set light to the foliage climbing up the pole on Colwell Chine Road.
Members of the public are being kept back as firefighters from Freshwater deal with the incident.
UPDATE @ 22:15 – The high current passing through the cables has caused sparks to fly and explosions to be heard, as captured on camera by Island Echo reader Amber Jayne.
@islandecho trapped in Colwell Bay!! pic.twitter.com/rwEBJsB1Is
— AmberJayne (@ambibuckman99) June 1, 2017
UPDATE @ 23:00 – The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has now handed over the incident to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
Unfortunately, power has been lost to a number of properties.
UPDATE FRIDAY – A spokesperson for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has confirmed that 56 properties were without power until 04:10 this morning. The telegraph pole and associated cables had to be replaced.
The spokesperson added:
“We wish to apologise to all those households affected and for any inconvenience caused.”
