Electricity surges across downed power line in London’s south end caught on camera

As if marble-sized hail weren’t enough, a car accident in the city’s south end yesterday killed power in the area when a van crashed into a transformer.

As threatening clouds gather overhead, a video shot by London’s Tyler Van Gaalen shows electricity arcing across power lines as explosions shoot out from the hydro pole.

READ MORE: London weather updates

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Van Gaalen was just a few vehicles behind when he saw the accident occur.

“Initially the hydro lines exploded like that for maybe a minute, and then it stopped. I was one of the people who called 911, made sure everybody was okay, cleared everybody out of the way and then of course emergency responders came,” Van Gaalen said. “About 30 minutes later we were all waiting to give statements to police, standing right where I took the video, and that’s when that all started out of nowhere.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Initially the hydro lines exploded like that for maybe a minute, and then it stopped. I was one of the people who called 911, made sure everybody was okay, cleared everybody out of the way and then of course emergency responders came," Van Gaalen said. "About 30 minutes later we were all waiting to give statements to police, standing right where I took the video, and that's when that all started out of nowhere."

READ MORE: Summer weather forecast 2017: What’s in store for Canadians

The accident caused a power outage that took out the lights at the intersection and caused outages extending east on Southdale Road to Millbank Drive. Over 2,000 customers in the White Oaks area were affected according to London Hydro.