Firefighters were called to a hole in the ground which had smoke pouring from it.

Boarded off : the pavement hole Picture: LUAN MARSHALL VGGWK19

Many residents had raised the alarm after they witnessed the smoke billowing out from a hole in the pavement in Ferrymead, Canvey.

Sub-officer Mike Jones from Canvey fire, said: "Residents heard a loud bang and saw smoke coming from a hole in the pavement.

"It seems the road had sunk over a period of time with the weight of vehicles and pressure had been put on high voltage cables which were probably squashed."

Published Tuesday January 27, 2004

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