[21
NOV 00] POWERGEN NEWS
Homes Broken Into After Power Surge
Electricity
officers were forced to break into houses in Coventry last night after
a power surge rippled through the area.
They
had to get special warrants to force their way into empty homes in
Hillfields to check that the high-voltage surge had not damaged any
wiring before the power supply was reconnected.
An
application was made to the Lord Chancellor’s department at 4pm
yesterday after electricity officials failed to find the owners of the
homes.
They
broke in with help from police and locksmiths and are to pay
compensation to residents.
The
power supply was connected at 2.20am, but checks have to be made on
central heating systems and other domestic appliances to make sure
they have not been damaged by the surge.
East
Midlands Electricity is to pay compensation to anyone who has had
equipment damaged.
Spokeswoman
Isobel Hoseason said the surge happened at a sub-station in Adderley
Street, and affected houses in Aylesford Street, Jesmond Road, Blythe
Road, Pennsylvania Way and Harnall Street East.
She
said:
“It’s
unusual that so many properties were empty or unoccupied. We had to
get into 40 homes. We apologise for the inconvenience, but safety
had to come first.”
People
living in the area who have any queries about claiming compensation
should rind 0115 877 6026.
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