PARTS of Darlington town centre were closed off to shoppers this afternoon after a small explosion caused a power cut.
It is not yet know exactly what caused the explosion which occurred when workers on the town's Pedestrian Heart were installing a new street sign.
The sign was being installed on Priestgate outside Phones4U.
Staff inside the shop reported hearing a loud rumbling before the power went off shortly before midday.
Smoke was then seen rising from the top of the sign.
The fire brigade and police cordoned off the area around Priestgate and High Row while they isolated the problem.
Power was restored and the town centre reopened shortly before 1pm.
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