Solar flare theory after homes hit by Halloween power cuts

A FLASH of light was seen above parts of South Wales as the country was hit by widespread power outages.

Dashcam footage, pictured, captured the intense blue flash above Newport at around 6pm on Sunday, before a power cut hit thousands of homes across South Wales.

The phenomenon led some to speculate that it may have been a solar flare that in turn led to the power outage, but Western Power Distribution said the power fault was due to a National Grid issue.

Others said the intense light was simply fireworks.

Thousands were affected from Cardiff to Carmarthenshire, as well as parts of Bristol and the south-west of England, prompting an investigation by Western Power Distribution.

Many saw their lights flickering on and off, while others described how their street lights had stayed off.

A spokesman for Western Power Distribution said: “There was an issue with the National Grid and they are investigating. It has affected homes across South Wales and the southwest (of England).

“This fault has created a dip which is when there is a fault on the line or substation and all the volts have collapsed which can be caused by a fault or explosion.”