THOUSANDS of households across the Dartford, Welling, Orpington and Bexleyheath areas could be without electricity for another 36 hours after a fire damaged power cables yesterday.

The fire occurred on a cable bridge across a waterway behind the Arriva bus garage in Central Road, Dartford, at 12.47pm yesterday (July 20).

Suspected vandalism

There appears to be evidence of vandalism as locks have been broken on the security gates at both ends of the bridge.

Four major electricity circuits have been badly damaged by the fire, with damage also to one of the concrete bridge supports.

EDF Energy Networks engineers have restored power to some of the areas affected but the bridge needs to be safe enough for the workers to carry out repairs.

They will then lay and join new cables to the network.

Engineers working to restore power

This work is expected to take at least 36 hours although EDF says it is trying to restore power to as many customers as it can as soon as possible.

But it is likely there will be further interruptions until the full repairs have been completed.

Around 100 people are working on the incident and have been there throughout the night.

A Dartford Borough Council spokesman said: “The authority’s plans have ensured that there has been no disruption to essential services. We have put in place measures to ensure that the more vulnerable members of the community have been cared for throughout.”

Extra police on patrol

The power company has said it will be providing back-up generators in key areas while there is no electricty supply, and additional police patrols have also been implemented while the blackout continues.

A spokesman for Kent Primary Care Trust said that people with concerns about their health should contact their local health services as normal, but that people whose GP surgery is affected by the power failure should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Emergency services and hospitals are working as normal in the area.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has advised people to take particular care if using candles during this time and never to leave them unattended.

Kent Police is working with partner agencies to ensure normal services are restored as quickly as possible and are investigating whether vandals are responsible.

EDF Energy's emergency helpline number is 08000 280247, though the company has advised the situation is unlikely to change for some time.