HUGE flashes of bright lights and power outages across Dorset were caused by a fallen wire.

Residents were left star struck on Tuesday evening when the bright flashes of blue and green lights lit up the sky.

The flashes were seen across Dorset including Christchurch, Highcliffe and Southbourne at around 10pm in the evening.

Following the display of lights, residents’ power also went out effecting household technology and streetlights.

Energy company Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) confirmed that the incident was caused by a fallen wire on Lyndhurst Road.

The damaged wire resulted in the automated system transferring power to a stable section of the network while repairs were carried out.

However, this transfer, known as ‘network arcing’, caused flashes in the sky.

A spokesperson for SSE said: “Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) was alerted to a fallen wire in Lyndhurst Road, Dorset on Tuesday evening.

“While no nearby homes or businesses lost power as a result of this, the local network performed auto-reclose at 10.03pm, 10.05pm, and 10.23pm to ensure power stayed on for all customers.

“This resulted in the network arcing, which was seen as flashes in the night sky.

“Auto-reclose is an automated system fitted to parts of SSEN’s infrastructure that seeks to relocate supplies - which have the potential to fault – on to a more stable section of the network until repairs can be carried out.

“SSEN invests around £2 million a year on these automated systems that effectively prevent prolonged power outages.

“Customers are reminded never to approach any damaged network, such as fallen wires, but to report them by calling the freephone number 105.”

READ MORE: Flashing lights and power cuts stun residents

Hundreds of residents took to social media after the incident stating they had seen large flashes of blue and green with others spotting red light too.

Samantha Blackmore-Wells commented that she also heard an ‘awful sound’ and saw the pylons flash before all her electricity went out.

Residents described a ‘buzzing noise’ and car alarms being set off.

Some speculated whether Halloween had come early or if Dorset had a visit from aliens however, the real cause is slightly less exciting.