FIREFIGHTERS attending an electricity pylon which was on fire behind Queen Elizabeth Drive in Crediton on Wednesday, October 14, had great difficulty reaching the pylon because of inconsiderate parking in the road.

Motorists are reminded, when parking, to always bear in mind that an emergency vehicle might need to gain access.

At the height of the power fault in the Crediton area, which began at about 11.15am that day, more than 1,500 homes in the Crediton and Sandford areas were without power.

Most properties were restored within an hour and a further swathe at 3pm but some, mainly in the Sandford area, were without power until about 6pm.

Chris Gillard of Crediton took to social media and explained:"The power failure was due to a power line fault problem in a field just west of Upper Deck.

"I was in our garden looking towards Barnstaple Cross when there was a massive explosion like a clap of thunder followed by a big flash of green light from the field on the Sandford side of the road about 500 yards along the road.

"About six Western Power vehicles arrived within 25 minutes and were there until late afternoon."

Western Power completed repairs the following morning.