A transformer in an electricity substation in the Towns blew up yesterday and left people without power for about four hours.

Firefighters were called out to Bryant Street, Chatham, at about 5.30pm after people dialled 999 after hearing a loud explosion.

The incident caused an immediate power outage in the three high-rise tower blocks in the road as well as at houses in nearby Prospect Row.

The outage also stopped the traffic lights working on New Road and firefighters rescued one person from a lift in one of the tower blocks after the power went off.

Crews from Chatham fire station were called out to deal with the incident and cordoned-off the area when the got to the scene.

No one was injured during the incident and crews looked after the welfare of elderly and disabled people.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: "People reported hearing a loud explosion and and we had a look at the transformer and it has burst open.

There was no fire, but the incident caused an immediate power cut to all the flats and the homes behind them.

"Because of the heat we called in Red Cross and Kent Fire and Rescue volunteers to help distribute water and look out for the welfare of vulnerable and elderly residents."

Engineers from UK Power Networks were also called to the scene and managed to re-direct power from another source in the town and got electricity restored to flats and homes at about 9pm.