THIS is the dramatic moment an electricity pylon at a key substation went up in flames following a gas explosion in 2008.
The 120-foot pylon at the Holmes Lane site in Rawtenstall glowed red as temperatures rose to more than 500 degrees celcius.
As a result of the blaze, around 17,000 homes were temporarily left without power shortly before Christmas and the nearby A682 had to be closed for two days while a temporary power line was put it.
United Utilities was left facing a bill of more than £2million to repair the substation. The fire damaged pylon had to demolished and a new tower was put up the following summer.
Compensation claims from customers left without gas and electricity was over £1million.
The blaze destroyed one power circuit but a second one remained intact. Had that circuit also gone down, homes would have been left without power over Christmas as it would have taken several days to get power supplies up and running in the area.
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