Appliances wrecked as crash cuts power

Warren Coker said nine surge protectors saved most of his appliances from blowing up but he still lost a laptop and tropical fish tank equipment.

"Everything that was turned on got blown up."

That's how Brandon Jones described two televisions, Freeview, a washing machine, fridge and hot water cylinder being damaged by a power outage after a truck smashed into a power pole and snapped it in half, in Ngatai Rd at Otumoetai on Monday.

The crash cut power to about 760 properties in Otumoetai and Bellevue.

Other residents reported structural damage, meter box explosions, burnt out wiring and having no power for more than 24 hours.

When the Bay of Plenty Times visited, two electricians were working at Mr Jones' house. He said the appliances were not insured.

Jerry Jamieson said the crash sounded like a "bomb had gone off and I just about had to put my hands to my ears", his wife thought there had been an earthquake as the house shook.

He rushed down the road at about 1.15pm and saw two guys slumped in the cab of the truck and live wires everywhere.

The couple had made claims for a microwave, two TVs, video recorder, inside lamps, and structural damage to their house but had not heard back from their insurance company. All the fuses had melted in their fuse box, he said.

Tami Hadfield who runs a florist business from home said she lost her washing machine, printer, microwave and laptop charger. The HRV had also blown out "but some of the people were way worse off than me and I was really lucky my chiller and my computer did not go."

Going without power for 24 hours was difficult, she said, and the single mother of two also had no insurance. She bought her washing machine in August. Although she took the extended warranty and product care with her washing machine it was not covered for power surges.

"I am a single mum running a small business there is only so much money. This is the last thing I need but at least my house didn't burn down."

Ms Hadfield planned to contact the trucking company regarding compensation.

Computer technician Warren Coker said a big hole was blown in the bottom of his meter box but nine surge protectors saved a lot of appliances although they still lost a laptop and fish tank equipment.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said his power was out for 25 hours which "is unacceptable." An oven and washing machine did not work now, he said.

Ravjot Singh said his power was out for about 28 hours.

The trucking company said complaints it received would be sent to its insurance company.

Powerco Network operations manager Phil Marsh said the power went off at 1.30pm on Monday and was restored to the majority of properties by 4.30pm. Most of the remaining customers had power back on around 10pm that night after the pole had been replaced.

A small number of properties remained without supply the following day. Powerco and electricity retailers would work together to resolve any issues customers might have, he said.

"Powerco apologises for the inconvenience caused by the power cut."