UPDATE 11.45AM, SATURDAY: A Powercor spokesman has confirmed last night's power outage was caused by a suspected high voltage injection, or power surge.
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The spokesman said 4380 customers were affected when the power outage occured at 7.08pm last night.
The majority of those affected had power restored at 8.43pm, while a few hundred extra customers waited until 12.32am.
The spokesman said the powerline is believed to have fallen onto a lower voltage line, which is believed to have caused a power surge.
The spokesman said an inspector has deemed the repaired line safe.
UPDATE 9.30AM, SATURDAY: A Powercor spokesman said 4380 customers were affected by last night's power outage.
He said the power was "progressively restored". We are waiting for further details, including confirmation of the outage's cause.
If residents or businesses affected by the outage are interested in talking with the Advertiser today, please phone 5434 4489 or email georgina.howden-chitty@fairfaxmedia.com.au
UPDATE 10.30PM: Powercor is reporting only 237 homes are now without power in Bendigo.
The homes are in the Kennington area.
Powercor is listing the fault as 'partially restored' with an estimated restoration time of 11.30pm.
UPDATE 9.15PM: Power is being restored to parts of Bendigo after it went out just after 7pm.
According to the Powercor website just 240 homes are still without power.
There has been no confirmation of what caused a powerline to detach from a powerpole and leave more than 4000 people without electricity.
Coles in McIvor Road is reporting it is back up and running as usual.
The supermarket was running on a generator that was supplying lights and cash registers.
An employee said the store was in the process of organising a refrigerated truck to salvage produce from the fridges and freezers before the power returned.
Power was restored to Coles at 8.55pm.
UPDATE 8.45PM: Powercor staff continue to work on a fallen line in Hewitt Avenue, Kennington.
UPDATE 8.15PM: Coles in McIvor Road is also experiencing difficulties thanks to the blackout.
An employee said a generator was lighting the store but that the registers would soon cut out.
He said the fridges are not running at present.
UPDATE 8PM: Several people on social media are reporting a flying fox hitting powerlines is the cause of the power outage.
A Hewitt Avenue resident told the Bendigo Advertiser the lights in his house flickered before he saw a flash and sparks out the front of his home.
The man said a power line had become detached from the powerpole.
Residents have been told by Powercor and the CFA to stay in the homes until the problem is resolved.
There is no confirmation on what caused the outage.
According to the Powercor website the expected restoration time is still 10.30pm.
EARLIER: MORE than 4000 homes are without power in Bendigo.
Powercor is investigating the cause of the power outage that is affecting parts of Bendigo, East Bendigo, Flora Hill, Kennington, Quarry Hill and Strathdale.
According to the Powercor website, the outage occurred just after 7pm.
The website estimates power will be restored by 10.30pm.
Residents reported seeing two blue flashes in the sky around Kennington just before the power went out.
Several Country Fire Authority trucks were called out during the blackout but are returning to base.
Bendigo Advertiser readers turned to social media to report outages.
Bianca Sherman reported Neale Street in Kennington and Mill Street in Strathdale were without power.
Emma McKenzie said east Bendigo was out, while Meg Starr said Kennington was without power.
Kerry-Anne Hamilton said the lights flickered and then went out in Michael Street, East Bendigo, while Anna Blake reported a similar experience in Howard Street, Quarry Hill.
Anne-Marie Shay reported no power in Reservoir Road, Strathdale.
Angela Whalen warned drivers to be careful with traffic lights out at the intersection of Mitchell and Miller streets.
Several residents reported their lights flickered but the power remained on.
Heath Aaron said the lights flickered twice in Strathfieldsaye but the power remained on, while Linda Saari and Wendy Geary in Cal Gully, Bethany Amsing in Axe Creek, Christine Fagan in Epsom, AJ Wilson in Maryborough, Katie Bruce in North Bendigo and Ange Nicholls in Junortoun all reported the same.
Some readers maintained a sense of humour through the blackout.
Tony Camilleri wrote: ''All good in California Gully. Best wishes to those in trouble. Also, we will look after any icecream in danger. Chocolate preferred''.
Irene Hill offered: ''Thank God for smelly candles and a blanket... no power near St Aidan's and Murphy Street.''
Some readers didn't forget the footy either, providing scores for those without power. How thoughtful!