MORE than 1,000 houses in Prestwich and Whitefield were left without electricity due to a power cut.

Electricity North West said homes the Besses and Holyrood areas were affected by the power outage, which happened at 3.30pm on Saturday.

The cut was caused by a fault in an underground electricity cable, and was not weather related.

However a spokesman said most properties had power restored within five minutes.

He said that the other homes, thought to be more than 100, had power restored by 5.30pm.

The spokesman said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers, and power has now been restored.”

Firefighters from Whitefield station were called out at about 3pm as a result of the power cut to a house in Ferndene Road.

An elderly couple, both aged in their mid-70s, did not have any power and wanted to have a cup of tea.

They used a camping stove to heat a kettle and spilled some gas, which ignited.

The residents were able to put out the fire themselves using a damp tea towel, but they called firefighters about two hours later to make sure the area was safe.

They were not hurt and there was minor damage to the kitchen as a result of the incident.

Watch manager John Van Geffen, from Whitefield fire station, said: “Thankfully the residents were not hurt, I would urge people in the event of a power cut to not use naked flames, and to have torches on hand.”