Around 90 per cent of the 94,000 EDF customers affected by a power cut are now getting at least some supply.

A statement released this afternoon from the energy giant said around 44,500 customers have had full power restored, through switching supplies to other circuits on the network and from back-up generation brought in from across the country.

A further 39,500 are getting supplies on a three-hour rota basis.

That still leaves 10,200 customers remain without power supplies - more than 48 hours after the power was lost on Monday.

Now the British Red Cross has been brought in to deal with the most vulnerable customers.

Generators were brought in from Scotland, Bristol and Great Yarmouth as part of the company's operation to respond to serious damage to high voltage electricity cables in the Dartford area.

They are now providing back-up power at 38 sites in the area, supplying 11,200 customers, with more due to be connected today. This includes a number of care homes across the Dartford area.

Engineers worked though the night to deploy the generators across the affected area, concentrating on sites with vulnerable customers and areas where generators could provide power to the highest numbers of customers possible.

It comes after a fire caused power outages to more than 90,000 homes across Dartford and parts of south east London following the damage on Monday lunchtime.

Police are now investigating the incident, believed to have been caused by unauthorised people interfering with cables.

The company is taking a number of measures to reduce the inconvenience - including supplying power on a rota basis - but it's thought around 45,000 customers are still without continuous supplies today.

A spokesman said: "EDF Energy Networks would like to apologise to all customers affected by this major incident and we thank everyone for their patience while we work to return supplies.

"We would like to ask all customers being supplied by generators or on a temporary basis to use electricity for essential purposes only. In this way we can ensure the situation does not become overloaded and as many people as possible have power."

The company has also enlisted the support of The British Red Cross, which has visited a number of vulnerable customers to offer advice and support.

EDF Energy has brought in extra call centre staff to provide information and advice to customers.

For information on rota connections and on the latest estimates for restoration of supplies, please contact EDF's emergency contact centre on 0800 028 0247 or if you have internet access, www.edfenergy.com

Meanwhile Kent Police are now focusing their efforts on finding witnesses.

They're asking people to report anyone who has suffered burns, but hasn't sought medical advice.

Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Bishop told KentOnline: "If there is anybody who has seen anyone suspicious at the riverside industrial estate then please contact the police as soon as possible.

"We have checked with hospitals but if anyone is aware of anybody with burns and they think that's suspicious and they've not sought medical help, please let us know."

Det Chief Insp Bishop said investigators had visited the scene and were working closely with Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

When asked whether the cause was definitely vandalism, Det Chief Insp Bishop said: "We are keeping an open mind. It may be that there were efforts to steal metal from this location and it could well be vandalism, but at the moment it is difficult to say and those enquiries are ongoing."