ALMOST 300 homes were left without electricity after children cut down a tree which fell onto a live overhead electricity line.

Residents in Ramsbottom reported seeing two flashes of light and a small explosion prior to 290 homes being cut off from power last Wednesday afternoon.

The overhead power line was struck near woodland, off Fern Street, at 1.15pm.

It is understood that boys aged as young as 12 were in the woods at the time and had cut a tree down which landed on the live line.

Power was knocked out to 290 homes, Electricity North West confirmed.

Engineers attended the scene and power was restored to the majority of homes, although some homeowners had to wait until 1am the following morning, a spokesman confirmed.

Properties along Holt Street, Fir Street, Kenyon Street and Harrison Street were all affected, and a spokesman for Electricity North West said the cause of the fault was being fully investigated.

The Electricity North West spokesman said: “Our engineers quickly arrived onsite and restored power to the majority of customers and they restored the remaining 10 customers at around 1am on Thursday.

“We will be investigating the cause of the fault, but initial reports suggest a tree has fallen on the power line causing the power cut.”

The matter was not reported to police.