23/05/2003

Gunshots leave 500 homes without electricity

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has condemned an incident in which 500 customers were left without electricity in Co Londonderry yesterday.

Multiple faults were reported at around 4.40pm yesterday afternoon in a short section of overhead line. NIE believe the fault was caused by gunshots.

Engineers responded immediately, restoring power to 45 customers within two hours and services to a further 359 customers by 7pm.

Permanent repairs to reinstate the line were also carried out on site during the evening and engineers finally restored power to all the customers affected by 9.30pm.

Commenting on the damage, Christine Baker, NIE Customer Relations Manager for the area, said: “I cannot stress strongly enough the risk of electrocution these people take when they maliciously damage or interfere with electricity equipment.

"Vandalism of this nature could have potentially fatal consequences for both the vandals and other members of the public. In this incident the overhead line was severed, falling onto the road. Our safety equipment activated immediately, switching off electricity supplies in the area and making the line safe.

“I am also concerned about the difficulties experienced in the local community due to this supply interruption, especially as it occurred over the dinnertime period."

Police have been informed of the incident and NIE have appealed for anyone with information on the incident to contact them on 08457 643 643.

(MB)

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