RESIDENTS in large sections of Orange were left without power on Friday night thanks to a direct lightning strike that resulted in the shutdown of the Orange west zone substation.
More than 1100 properties in the western and northern areas of Orange, including streets in Sieben Drive, Prince Street, March Street, Dalton Street, Green Lane and Clinton Street, were left without power from 7.40pm.
Some semi-rural properties to the north west of Orange were also left without power.
Essential Energy regional general manager south eastern Phillip Green said when Essential Energy network systems detected a fault in the network out of the Orange west zone substation on Glendale Crescent, protection equipment switched off the power, “ensuring the area was safe”.
“Crews from the Orange depot were dispatched to carry out a line patrol to check for any damage before making arrangements to restore supply,” he said.
“Power was completely restored to all homes and properties by 8.45 pm.”