Pensioner suffers 20-year power cut
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An elderly widow lived by candlelight for 20 years after believing she had been disconnected from the mains for using too little electricity.
The 86-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, has used candles and oil lamps since 1977, when she returned to her home in Sheffield to find she had been cut off. The pensioner thought she had been disconnected by Yorkshire Electricity for using too little power and never complained to the company. As a result nothing was done until a neighbour found out and called the company.
The widow told the workmen who came to investigate the problem: "We came home from shopping one day and some electricity board workers were digging outside our house and we haven't had any electricity since. I think we were disconnected because we weren't using enough electricity."
Sarah Chadwick, of Yorkshire Electricity, said: "We're not sure why she was disconnected and we're looking into it. When we found out we went to see her straight away and sorted it out."
Kate Watson-Smyth
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments