Sky customers across Burton and South Derbyshire left with no phone line or broadband due to an "underground fire" are invited to seek compensation.
People were unable to connect on Monday afternoon, July 10, and Tuesday morning, July 11, after an electrical explosion sparked an underground fire which damaged fibre network cables. This caused scores of homes throughout East Staffordshire and parts of South Derbyshire to lose their broadband connection.
Customers in Barton under Needwood, Burton, Tutbury, Etwall and Repton, as well as Derby, Chellaston, Allestree, Breadsall, Duffield, Alvaston, Sandiacre, Ashbourne, Mickleover, Pear Tree and Long Eaton, were affected by the outage.
Sky – one of the service providers hit by the fire – said engineers worked overnight to fix the issue and connection was restored to all homes by 12.30pm on Tuesday.
The firm apologised to anyone affected and urged people to call customer services on 03300 413 000 to discuss compensation claims, which are usually decided on a case-by-case basis.
The fault was initially reported at just after 5.15pm on Monday.
Burton Mail readers took to the Facebook page to share their thoughts on the lack of internet in their homes, with many saying they could actually have a conversation with their children without them being glued to a device.
Terri Baker said: "Yep had no internet last night, so obviously couldn't download anything either. I had to actually go to sleep at a reasonable hour. Felt like I was 15 again."
Sam Barker said: "It was odd. All seven of the kids appeared from out their rooms and started talking at me, mild panic led to hysteria for them. My 18-year-old told me she felt sorry for me for having to live in the dark ages as a child. Thankfully normal service has been resumed today."
Rachel Wolfe Stb Finch said: "Saw all my kids last night, even had a conversation. Quality time is very rare."
Marc Janus added that he was having withdrawal symptoms after three hours.
Neil Earley said: "Lost internet and meant I couldn't do my live radio stream."
Kirsty Legrice said: "Been a nightmare."
