A MAJOR power fault left hundreds of homes in Tillicoultry without power throughout Christmas Eve.

Households and businesses along a section of High Street and surrounding area were affected by the fault on the low voltage underground network and subsequent power outage.

It came on the morning of Thursday, December 24 – the same time firefighters attended a small fire within an electrical box at a Church Grove property just before 5am.

Melaine White, secretary at Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton and Devonside Community Council, has been focusing on keeping people up to date on social media since.

She told the Advertiser: "I know people who had been up at the time, it was quite terrifying for them because light bulbs started to explode one by one and then all the power went off."

It is understood electrical equipment and boilers were damaged in many of the affected homes with engineers working through the festive period to resolve issues.

A household reported to the community council that all their electricals were damaged with a "sound bar" catching fire.

Around 230 homes were said to have been affected, with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) engineers setting up an information base at Murray Square where they handed also out hot food and drinks for free.

Tilly woman Kelly-Marie Hearsum was set to celebrate Christmas at her mum's where appliances were also damaged.

She said: “My mum still had gas so she was cooking the turkey and it exploded!

“We all have a laugh about the turkey explosion because it sums up our year that we’ve had.

“Main thing is we are all safe and to be honest those workers have done amazing.”

Indeed, Melanie joined others in praising workers at SPEN, contractors, Clackmannanshire Council and even other local authorities for working through the festive period.

Many in the community have also come together to support one another.

One of the businesses affected on the High Street was Fabio's Fish & Chips.

All stock was lost from the damaged fridges, which contained more than usual as not all suppliers are available to deliver over the festive period.

Nicola Del Guidice from Fabio's said he felt "a wee bit sad" about not being able to open to serve those customers who were relying on his food.

He said: "It's nothing to do with money, it's just because you couldn't be there when your customers need you – that was the only thing making me feel bad."

It is understood power has been restored to all properties by the same evening and work has been ongoing since by engineers and electricians at SPEN and the council to resolve any outstanding issues.

A joint statement from Clacks Council and SPEN said: "They worked throughout the festive period to ensure as many affected residents as possible had heating and hot water.

"Residents whose repairs have been more complex, have been offered portable heaters or alternative hotel accommodation.

"Council workers are continuing to support the most vulnerable residents who are affected."

Council leader Ellen Forson said this was the "worst possible time of the year" for a power cut to happen.

She added: "The sheer volume of work that has been carried out to get electricity and heating back to residents as quickly as possible has been incredible and I would like to thank all the workers involved.

"Their efforts are very much appreciated not only by me but I am sure from all the residents who have been affected."