Ballinamore Municipal Assembly are to investigate a possible power surge that occurred in the Corawallen area last week.

Ballinamore Municipal Assembly are to investigate a possible power surge that occurred in the Corawallen area last week.

Cllr Caillian Ellis outlined that last week the ESB “replaced a transformer and put up a new one.” He says this action possibly caused a “power surge” to one home and burned elements and appliances in the house, including an electric fence in the adjoining shed.

Cllr Ellis said the family who were “shocked” by the incident contacted the ESB, and were told it was not the ESB’s problem. They were told they must put up with the cost.

The Fenagh councillor asked “What if the house had burned - who would replace it?” He said the ESB’s response should not be accepted and asked his fellow councillors to support a letter to Minister Alex White.

Cllr Ellis said the family from Corawallen were told they should have had an anti-surge device, but this was not known.

He said he understands legal advice is being sought.

Cllr John McCartin said it was a health and safety issue and should be investigated. A number of electric appliances were destroyed and will have to be replaced.

Leitrim County Council said they would seek an official response from the ESB before contacting the Minister.

The ESB has update the Leitrim Observer after pulbication on the situation: “Due to adverse weather conditions on Thursday 16th July, an outage occurred in the Crockeen area of Co. Leitrim at 10:48am. This outage was caused by a lightening strike to the electricity network which damaged a transformer subsequently causing a power surge. Crews from ESB Networks were dispatched immediately and quickly carried out repairs, including the replacement of the damaged transformer.

The householder would not have been aware of the damage until after the power was restored. The damage was not caused by ESB Networks repairing the system but rather it was caused by the original lightening strike.”