A FALLING tree "exploded" an overhead line in the Bradford district, knocking out power for hundreds of people.

The tree was brought down by Storm Isha's strong winds before hitting an overhead line in the Skipton area on Sunday evening.

It is believed this was in the Carleton Road area. 

The power line set on fire and exploded in the Carleton Road/Burnside areas of Skipton, according to the Facebook page North Yorkshire Weather Updates.

A spokesperson for Northern Powergrid confirmed a power cut was reported at around 8.15pm in the area on January 21.

A tree fell onto part of its overhead power network and damaged electrical equipment, the spokesperson said.

This impacted around 440 people until the situation was reportedly resolved three hours later.

A full statement from Northern Powergrid said: "We received reports of a power cut at around 8.15pm last night that affected around 440 customers in the BD23 2 and 3 areas.  

"This was due to Storm Isha and a tree falling on to our overhead power network damaging electrical equipment. 

"Our team safely isolated the area and power was successfully restored to customers around 11pm last night."

Storm Isha wreaked havoc right across Bradford today, with flights paying a particularly heavy price due to the adverse conditions.

One plane was even forced to divert to Scotland after circling Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) four times.

Northern Powergrid said more than 11,500 properties lost power in West Yorkshire between Sunday and Monday.

Workers used a method called "switching" to restore power for most of those people by the morning, with 170 premises still off supply as of around 9am today.

Switching is when electricity is safely moved through alternative routes on the network, according to a spokesperson for Northern Powergrid.

Storm Jocelyn

It comes as Storm Jocelyn brings more gusts of wind to the Bradford district.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of wind for West Yorkshire between noon on Tuesday and 3pm on Wednesday. 

The storm has been named Jocelyn by Met Eireann, Ireland's meteorological service.

A strong jet stream is pushing the large-scale, low-pressure system from the Atlantic.