A bustling shopping precinct in Melbourne’s north was thrown into chaos on Wednesday afternoon after a power pole snapped and crashed onto a busy street, disrupting power supplies and alarming local residents and business owners.
Emergency crews were called to Leake Street in Essendon North shortly before 1 p.m. following reports that a vehicle collision had brought down a power line. Images from the scene showed the power pole completely broken in half, with part of the structure landing on a parked vehicle.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) said firefighters responded quickly and worked alongside Victoria Police to establish a safety exclusion zone around the damaged infrastructure. Authorities ensured the area was secured while electricity to the fallen power lines was disconnected to prevent further risks.
After emergency crews made the scene safe, responsibility for the incident was handed over to electricity distributor Jemena. The company advised that power outages affected several nearby businesses and estimated that electricity would be restored later in the evening.
The incident occurred in the middle of a busy commercial area, prompting concern among shoppers and local residents. Witnesses described seeing people rushing out of nearby stores as emergency services arrived.
Local resident Alison Fonseca said she was enjoying a coffee at a nearby café when staff alerted customers to the commotion outside. She described the street as one of the busiest in the suburb and expressed relief that no pedestrians or motorists were injured when the pole came down.
Fonseca noted that she occasionally parks in the same location where the damaged vehicle was struck and said the incident had raised concerns about the condition of ageing infrastructure in the area.
Despite the dramatic scene and significant disruption, authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are ongoing.
