Reported pylon explosion cuts power to 162 homes in Summerseat
July 2022Published 29 Oct 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): Electricity North West
What happened
On the morning of Wednesday 20 July 2022, an electricity pylon reportedly exploded on The Island in Summerseat, Ramsbottom. Residents reported a loud bang at around 9.40am. Electricity North West said it received reports of a power cut at 10.10am affecting 162 properties because of a fault on the overhead electricity network. Automatic restoration systems restored power to 88 properties within 30 minutes. No one was reported hurt. Bolton North Fire Station attended and said the pylon, described as wooden with a transformer on it, came through as multiple explosions.
Firefighters made the scene safe, set up cordons and left the investigation of the cause to the network operator. Engineers remained on site carrying out repairs to restore the remaining properties.
Contributing factors
Not reported. The network operator said only that the power cut was caused by a fault on the overhead network. The cause of the fault and of the reported explosion was not stated.
Lessons learned
- Inspect wooden poles and pole-mounted transformers regularly for rot, cracking and signs of arcing, because timber structures can fail suddenly and violently.
- Automatic restoration systems can return most customers within minutes, so they should be tested and kept in good working order.
- Network operators should give attending fire services clear information on isolation and make-safe steps so that cordons can be set up and lifted safely.
More lessons on maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, outages, backup supply and restoration, fire suppression and firefighting, from every incident on the register.
Source
Published 2026-10-29. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
