Possum causes major electricity blackout

A possum strayed into a substation and caused a blackout from Nelson to Westport for several hours last night.

The power failure at the Stoke substation occurred at 10.52pm yesterday and affected Nelson, Richmond, Stoke and Westport, Police Southern Communications Centre said today.

Transpower spokesman Chris Roberts said the possum caused a minor explosion and fire appliances were called to the scene.

Electricity was partially restored to Stoke and Richmond within an hour.

The possum did not survive, Mr Roberts said.

Police said that extra police staff had stayed on from previous shifts as many security alarms were going off due to lack of power.

Restoration of power continued gradually. Full power to Nelson was not restored until 1.45am today.

- NZPA