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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Homes still without power supply | Homes still without power supply |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Engineers are still working to restore electricity to about 66,000 homes on the south-east London/Kent border. | Engineers are still working to restore electricity to about 66,000 homes on the south-east London/Kent border. |
| Up to 100,000 properties in Erith, Orpington, Dartford, Bexleyheath and Crayford were left without power after a suspected vandal attack. | Up to 100,000 properties in Erith, Orpington, Dartford, Bexleyheath and Crayford were left without power after a suspected vandal attack. |
| A fire on a cable bridge damaged four major electricity circuits on Monday. | A fire on a cable bridge damaged four major electricity circuits on Monday. |
| EDF Energy worked throughout the night to restore power and set up generators but it anticipated some would be without power until Wednesday morning. | EDF Energy worked throughout the night to restore power and set up generators but it anticipated some would be without power until Wednesday morning. |
| EDF is supplying electricity from its mobile generators in a rotation system giving customers access to supplies for up to three hours at a time. | EDF is supplying electricity from its mobile generators in a rotation system giving customers access to supplies for up to three hours at a time. |
| On Tuesday the Highways Agency suspended all charges on the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing to "reduce congestion". | On Tuesday the Highways Agency suspended all charges on the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing to "reduce congestion". |
| "All safety systems on the crossing are unaffected by the power outage," it added. | "All safety systems on the crossing are unaffected by the power outage," it added. |
| The blaze took hold of a cable bridge over Dartford Creek at 1247 BST. | The blaze took hold of a cable bridge over Dartford Creek at 1247 BST. |
| Locks on the security gates at both ends of the bridge had been broken. | Locks on the security gates at both ends of the bridge had been broken. |
| Kent Police, which is investigating the fire, have deployed additional patrols as the repair work continues. | Kent Police, which is investigating the fire, have deployed additional patrols as the repair work continues. |
| Ch Insp Peter Ayling said: "We have committed significant resources to investigate the cause of the incident and inquiries are ongoing. | |
| "It unclear at this stage whether this was criminal damage to or attempted theft of high voltage cable." | |
| 'Complex situation' | 'Complex situation' |
| An EDF Energy spokeswoman said: "We have managed to restore supplies to about a third of customers and will provide temporary supplies to more customers while we continue repairs. | An EDF Energy spokeswoman said: "We have managed to restore supplies to about a third of customers and will provide temporary supplies to more customers while we continue repairs. |
| "We continue to work on a full restoration of power supplies. | "We continue to work on a full restoration of power supplies. |
| "However this is a complex and difficult situation and it is unlikely this will be completed before tomorrow morning." | "However this is a complex and difficult situation and it is unlikely this will be completed before tomorrow morning." |
| Shops, banks and petrol stations have been hit | |
| Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford was also affected by the power cut. | Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford was also affected by the power cut. |
| But a spokesman said there was sufficient power to run the whole hospital from a back-up generator. | But a spokesman said there was sufficient power to run the whole hospital from a back-up generator. |
| A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "Kent Police is working with partner agencies to ensure normal services are restored as quickly as possible and are investigating the circumstances leading up to the power failure." | A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "Kent Police is working with partner agencies to ensure normal services are restored as quickly as possible and are investigating the circumstances leading up to the power failure." |
| A spokesman for Dartford Borough Council said there had been no disruption to essential services. | A spokesman for Dartford Borough Council said there had been no disruption to essential services. |
| Kent Police said the power cut had affected several petrol stations and people were being urged to fill up their cars outside the affected areas. | Kent Police said the power cut had affected several petrol stations and people were being urged to fill up their cars outside the affected areas. |
| EDF Energy's emergency helpline number is 0800 028 0247 | EDF Energy's emergency helpline number is 0800 028 0247 |
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| Residents spend day without power | Residents spend day without power |