The live wire came crashing down near a fuel station early Thursday morning; officials rushed to cut power supply.

A major tragedy was narrowly averted at the Kanodia petrol pump in Rewa city on Thursday morning when a live 440-volt main phase wire snapped and fell from an 11 KV power line pole. The incident occurred around 6 am, when the line was still carrying current.

The sight of a live wire sparking near a petrol pump sent shockwaves through the area. Eyewitnesses said the wire came down with a loud snap, creating panic among locals who had begun their morning routines.

The timing proved crucial. Had the wire fallen even an hour later, the situation could have turned catastrophic, locals said. The petrol pump sees significant footfall during morning hours, with vehicles lining up for fuel.

"At that time, people had just started coming out. The wire fell with a loud sound. It's sheer luck that no one was passing by at that moment," said a local shopkeeper who witnessed the incident.

MPEB Team Responds Swiftly

As soon as the incident was reported, the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board (MPEB) team rushed to the spot without any delay. Officials immediately cut off the main power supply to the area, eliminating the risk of electrocution and potential fire hazard at the fuel station.

The quick response prevented what could have been a devastating accident. A spark from a live wire near a petrol pump could have triggered an explosion, officials said.

Technical teams then began repairing the damaged line. Power supply was restored after the repair work was completed.

Residents Demand Regular Inspections

While locals appreciated the electricity department's prompt action, many raised concerns about the condition of power lines in the area.

"This isn't the first time such an incident has happened. These lines are old and poorly maintained. The department needs to conduct regular inspections before something worse happens," said a resident living near the petrol pump.

According to preliminary information, the wire may have snapped due to wear and tear or weather-related factors. However, MPEB officials said they are investigating the exact cause of the breakage.

Officials added that the area's power infrastructure is being reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Why This Incident Matters

The near-miss in Rewa highlights a recurring safety concern across Madhya Pradesh — ageing power infrastructure in busy commercial zones. Petrol pumps, by their very nature, are high-risk zones where any electrical fault can have catastrophic consequences.

Experts point out that regular maintenance and timely replacement of worn-out cables are not just regulatory requirements but critical safety imperatives. This incident serves as yet another reminder that infrastructure neglect can have deadly consequences.

Further details on the investigation are awaited.