Exploding power pole blacks out Perth homes in Inglewood

Perth residents watched on in shock as fire and electrical sparks spewed from a suburban power pole this afternoon, leaving 150 homes without power.

Inglewood resident Nadia Mitsopolous watched on with her young children as the base of the pole erupted into flames outside her home shortly after 7pm.

"It was actually quite scary and my kids were crying," she told ABC.

Footage filmed by Ms Mitsopolous shows the pole emit smoke as loud cracking noises sound and sparks erupt from its peak.

"It's just pure luck nobody was walking past at the time because it's a thoroughfare close to a community centre and library," she said.

Fire crews responded to the scene soon after the clip was filmed and extinguished the fire.

A Western Power spokesman said a fault with an underground cable had sparked the blaze, not arcing, as residents initially thought.

According to the spokesman, the fault had caused pressure in the line to build up and short-circuited wire near the top of the pole.

A generator is currently being used to restore power to affected homes.

Source: ABC