Traders along Southend seafront were left without power for five hours after underground electric cables burned out.
Firefighters from the town's fire station were called to Pier Hill at lunchtime yesterday after shops reported the electricity cutting out and smoke coming from parts of the pavement.
Crews made sure the area was safe before contacting the electricity company.
John Tidbury, sub officer at Southend fire station, said: "We were called by shopkeepers after their lights started flickering and heat and smoke started coming from the pavement. The lights then went out completely.
"I called the electricity board but once the lights went out I knew the circuit had blown itself out and the area was safe."
"However, I warned the shopkeepers to contact us if anything else happened.
"As far as we know they were without electricity for about five hours."
Published Friday, August 1, 2003
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