LARGE areas of Ledbury suffered a power cut on Sunday afternoon (May 8), because of a dramatic sub-station fire in New Street.

The sub-station is located in the grounds of the Born Court retirement home complex, and a manager there reported a loud explosion to emergency services, and said there was smoke pouring from the sub-station.

Richard Cooper, crew commander at Ledbury Station in Bye Street said: "Sub-stations can go off with a bang, because of a big energy supply."

The first act the fire crews did was to cordon off the area, to stop anyone getting too near.

The sub-station, a cabinet some 4m by 5m in size, was still smoking when the fire crews arrived; but no water hoses were used because electricity was involved.

A specialist appliance from Upton was called in, with the ability to spray compressed air foam, for electrical fires.

But by the time Western Power engineers had isolated the supply, the flames were out and the foam was not needed. 

The problem affected 1100 properties in the Ledbury area, according to Western Power; but the duration of the power cut differed in different areas of the town and surrounding areas.

There were numerous enquiries on Facebook as the power went off without warning, shortly after 2.20pm.

In some areas, such as the New Mills, the power cut lasted for only a few minutes to one hour; but in other areas, it went on for several hours, until about 6pm.

Areas that endured a longer power cut included Little Marcle Road, Queen's Court and Oatleys Road.

A Western Power spokesman said that most properties were reconnected by 5.30pm, and that "the power was able to re-start through the re-routing of the supply".

Western Power engineers were on site on Monday morning, to look at the sub-station, close to Born Court, and "to carry out any necessary repairs".

The blaze at the sub-station was attended by fire crews from Ledbury, Upton and Malvern, with one appliance sent from each of the towns.

A total of up to 15 firefighters were on the scene at the height of the emergency.

The fire crews finally left the scene at 4.05pm.

For some Ledbury residents, the power cut was an unwelcome interruption of Sunday lunch.

One resident posted at the time: "We're still lacking power in Biddulph Way; halfway through a roast dinner too!"

In total, there were more than 70 posts on the Voice of Ledbury Facebook site, as residents exchanged news and information.