Substation fire investigation (From News Shopper)

Substation fire investigation

10:53am Monday 9th June 2008 in Bromley By Robert Fisk

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into yesterday's Forest Hill substation fire which caused power problems across the region.

The blaze in Sydenham Park Road left thousands of EDF Energy customers without electricity in the Lewisham, Bromley, Catford, Forest Hill and Sydenham areas.

Traffic lights were also affected by the power cut.

Six fire engines were called to deal with the flames which are believed to have been visible from the Blackwall Tunnel at the height of the blaze between 7am and 8am yesterday (June 8).

Trains were diverted because of the fire which started at around 7.20am.

EDF Energy engineers restored the electricity supply for the majority of its customers by 11.46am.

Most of the remaining customers had power back by 9.40pm with a final few hundred in Sydenham getting electricity back by 10.40pm.

An EDF spokesman said: "We do apologise for the inconvenience caused to customers and thank people for their patience.

"The cause of the fire is being investigated."