One suggestion is that starlings on the line caused the incident.
A video of sparks flying off a number of power cables in Essex has been viewed almost half a million times on Facebook.
The video shows sparks flying up and down the cables, causing surges of power in houses nearby in Canvey Island, Essex.
“For anyone who is interested this was on Canvey Island last night,” wrote Facebook user Chas Haase, who posted the video.
Video screencap
Video screencap
Video screencap
Video screencap
“It was set off by the starlings sitting on the wire… we have yet to see if anything has been damaged power company arrived and put spaces on the wires.”