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NSW: Lightning blamed for Sydney blackout


21 Jan 2009 11:22 PM

SYDNEY, Jan 21 AAP - Lightning strikes have been blamed for blackouts in Sydney's northern suburbs.

Some 8,000 homes on Sydney's northern beaches and the state's central coast lost power at about 7.30pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, with an Energy Australia spokeswoman saying the likely cause was lightning.

Power was returned quickly to many customers but about 6,500 homes in the Narrabeen area were still in the dark some four hours later as crews checked for faults on lines, many of which run through bushland in the area.

"Our crews are out there working to fix the fault and restore power but it's a difficult task at night in the bush," the spokeswoman said.