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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
a power line has fallen onto your property and you are inside

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stay inside and treat the line as live. Keep people and pets away from the affected side of the home, then call 105 in Great Britain or 03457 643 643 in Northern Ireland; call 999 if there is immediate danger.

Do not do these things

  • Do not go outside to check it, even if it looks quiet or is not sparking.
  • Do not touch anything outside that could be energised, including fences, gates, sheds, metal railings, puddles, hoses, cars, or trees.
  • Do not try to move branches, a pole, or the cable with any object.
  • Do not open doors or windows near the line.
  • Do not assume it is only a telecoms wire; treat any fallen wire as dangerous until the network operator says otherwise.
  • Do not let children or pets near doors leading outside.

What to do now

  1. Keep everyone inside. Move people and pets to an internal room away from the side of the property where the line is.
  2. Stay back from doors, windows, walls, metal fittings, and anything outside that may be touching the line.
  3. Report it to the electricity network operator:
    • Call 105 in England, Scotland, or Wales.
    • Call 03457 643 643 in Northern Ireland. Say that you believe an overhead power line is down on your property, give your full address, give a safe access point if you already know it, and say whether anything is touching the line, such as a tree, fence, roof, shed, or car.
  4. Call 999 if there is immediate danger, such as arcing, sparks, smoke, fire, someone outside near the line, or the line blocking a public path or road.
  5. If the line is clearly part of a high-voltage transmission route on large metal pylons, and there is no immediate danger needing 999, also contact National Grid Electricity Transmission on 0800 40 40 90.
  6. Stop anyone else going outside. Message household members or nearby neighbours to stay away, but do not ask anyone to investigate.
  7. If you must leave because of a separate immediate danger inside, such as fire or smoke, use an exit furthest from the fallen line. Once outside, move as far away as you can, at least 10 metres if possible, and follow emergency services or network operator instructions.

What can wait

  • You do not need to identify your electricity supplier.
  • You do not need to take photos, move anything, or start clearing storm debris.
  • You do not need to decide about repairs, insurance, accommodation, or clean-up until the network operator or emergency services say it is safe.

Important reassurance

It is normal to feel frozen or unsure because the danger is not always visible. Staying inside, keeping distance, and calling the right emergency route are useful first steps.

Scope note

These are first steps only while you are safely inside. Later decisions about repairs, access, insurance, or temporary accommodation may need help from the network operator, emergency services, your insurer, landlord, or another specialist.

Important note

This is general safety information, not legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice. If there is immediate risk to life or a fire, call 999.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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