by Lynn Cox

Almost 800 properties were without power after a fire at a sub-station in Chatham.

Homes and businesses near the Grosvenor Avenue area of town were affected by the black-out which happened shortly after 9pm on Sunday.

Firefighters were called after what is believed to be a fault caused a fire to break out.

A crew from Medway fire station was called to put out the flames and spent about 50 minutes at the scene.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We were called out by residents who heard what they said sounded like an explosion, then a fire broke out, we were on the scene for almost an hour.

A spokesman for EDF Energy Networks, added: “EDF Energy Networks were alerted to an incident affecting equipment forming part of our underground electricity distribution network in the Grosvenor Avenue area of Chatham.

“Engineers arrived on site shortly afterwards.

“Several hundred customers then experienced an interruption to their supplies at 9.47pm while the engineers switched supplies to alternative networks in order to assess the damage.

"Power was restored to 536 customers at 10pm with the final 241 customers having supplies again at 12.22am on Monday.

“Permanent repairs are being scheduled to ensure the system is back to its usual reliable state.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this incident, which is still being investigated."