Worker hitting power cables left pub "ready to explode"

Properties on the same side of the Pope Iron Road, Barbourne, as the The Winning Post pub were left without power or gas from 4pm on Monday until the early hours on Tuesday.

The pub has had it worse with the electrical surge melting wires, blowing appliances and creating a burnt plastic stench throughout premises that was only refurbished during lockdown.

It remains without power and the road is closed while emergency repairs take place.

Landlord Jim McKeever has been left counting the cost with a full house anticipated for England's Euro 2020 clash with Germany but while he has had to close and seen new seating ripped up for workers to gain access to cables, he is thankful to avoid a far worse fate.

"Everything just went red in the cellar and we had to evacuate the building," said Mr McKeever.

"They said they would get the power back on in a couple of hours but 24 hours later we have no power and we don't know when it will be back on.

"The business has had to close, I had 40 people booked in for the England v Germany game.

"It is very frustrating but what can we do? We could have all been dead to be honest, if the (housing development) workers across the road had not been quick to call the fire brigade the pub would have burnt down.

"They cut through the mains and the surge fired back into the pub. The gas meter was bright red and ready to explode.

"The wiring is burnt throughout the pub, it has broken appliances."

Workers were on the scene throughout Tuesday but Mr McKeever was frustrated by a lack of updates.

"No one has been to see us for 24 hours," he added.

"The workers keep telling us they will be here in 20 minutes or half an hour. They are here trying to sort it out but it is impossible for them.

"It is the fact they have left us for 24 hours with no electricity. My wife is partially sighted and she is struggling.

"We have been closed for 12 months and worked hard to get it all open and now we have to close it down again through no fault of our own.

"They have said they will compensate us for everything but when? It will take a long time.

"They have been fair, it is not their fault but it is so slow. I just wish they would keep us informed about what's happening."

The surge bounced back as far ST Automotive, a garage on the opposite side of the road and approximately 100 yards away from the pub. It also remains without power.

Owner Simon Tattersfield said: "It was a comedy of errors from start to finish, he managed to go through the gas pipe and then the electrics.

"I was up all night because they said they would have someone out so I had to be ready to let them in. At 3am I got a text to say they would be here at 8am. They turned up at 9.30.

"I don't know what we are going to do, it has been a right old nightmare."

Worcester City Councillor Karen Lewing posted on Facebook: "I visited residents of Pope Iron Road who had their electric and gas cut off unintentionally by local construction developers.

"The problem also caused a surge resulting in a fire in the cellar at The Winning Post pub.

"Thankfully, there were no casualties. I’ve arranged for Worcester City Council to knock on residents of Pope Iron Road to talk about claims for freezer food."

Western Power Distribution has been contacted for comment.