AN underground 'explosion', which resulted in nearly 1,500 properties remaining without power, left residents 'frightened' in the early hours.

Emergency services responded to reports of a 'mini explosion' on Springfield Road in Ulverston on Saturday morning.

A fault on the underground electricity network led to the incident which left 1,443 Ulverston homes without electricity.

Some properties were without power until 7.50am the following morning.

Alison Jeschke was walking with her family to their home in Woodland Road after celebrating her husband's 50th birthday.

The family soon heard a 'loud bang' followed by a 'white flash' and witnessed smoke coming out of a hole in the road.

She said: "We were just walking home at 1am from my husband's 50th birthday celebrations. It was dark as all the street lights were off.

"Suddenly we heard a loud bang with an orange and white flash and there was smoke coming out and a hole in the road.

"My two teenagers were very close to the explosion and it was pitch black so I didn't know if they were harmed initially, as we didn't hear them, but luckily they were fine.

"We didn't know what it was until we saw smoke and debris coming from the road. It was quite frightening as it isn't something you expect."

Mrs Jeschke said Electricity North West engineers arrived promptly followed by fire service crews to ensure the area was safe.

She said: "Someone from the electricity company arrived fairly quickly and shortly after the fire service arrived but obviously they weren't needed.

"It was made safe very quickly and the electricity came back on within two hours."

A spokesperson for Electricity North West said: “We received reports of a power cut in the early hours of Saturday morning, 12.49am, affecting 1,443 properties in Ulverston caused by a fault on the underground electricity network.

“Engineers responded immediately and were able to remotely restore power to 1,192 properties within the hour.

“Teams then attended site, carried out the necessary repairs and power was restored to the remaining properties by 7.50am.”