Some houses in the Green Lane area had their power cut off this evening due to work in response to an explosion in the electricity supply box just outside Gateway earlier in the afternoon. The event which saw huge sparks fly out  of the box moments after a family had walked past the narrow pavement near to the railings resulted in the doors of the box being blown open. The supply to the lights on the pedestrian crossing was knocked out. Until the area was made safe the pavement was cordoned off with a police van and Northern Powergrid van at either end – and PCSOs in attendance. According to the eyewitness from Acomb Coblers this is the third time that there has been a problem with the box, and so Cllr Andrew Waller has written to Northern Powergrid today for a report on the causes, and what will be changed in future to avoid a repeat. Homes had their electricity cut off in the evening with power being restored around 9pm.