An iron manhole cover flew off into the air after an explosion in an underground junction box.

The incident happened in Brentlands Drive, Dartford, around 8pm last night.

Fire crews were on the scene from 8.20pm until 10.45pm when a team from UK Power Networks arrived to make the junction box safe. It provides power to a network of cables providing electricity.

Power to nearby homes had to be shut off, while the fault was dealt with.

Dartford firefighters said it was lucky no-one had been near the wrought iron manhole cover when it exploded and flew into the air.

It is thought an electrical fault could be responsible for the explosion.