Firefighters in Kent responding to reports of electrical boxes smoking within homes

Seven fire engines are currently at the scene. Credit: ITV News Meridian

Firefighters in Kent are responding to reports of electrical boxes smoking within homes in Chatham.

Seven fire engines are currently at the scene.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) crews are working alongside UK Power Networks to investigate the cause of the issue.

It is affecting properties in Churchill Avenue, Wayfield Road, Montgomery Avenue, and Cunningham Crescent. 

Roads in the surrounding area have been closed.

People are being urged to avoid the area because of congestion.

KFRS' volunteer response team is on-hand to provide advice to affected residents.

In a statement, UK Power Networks said: "UK Power Networks engineers are working hard to restore power to 279 properties in the Stalin Avenue area of Chatham.

"For safety reasons, following a fault on the electricity network at 1.31pm today (Tue 8 Aug), we turned off supplies to 412 customers, with 133 reconnected at 6.24pm.

"Work will continue round the clock to reconnect the remaining supplies as quickly as possible.Our customer support vehicle and advisors will be on site to help residents and vulnerable customers.

"We will be providing hot food and drinks and offering a temporary power supply for charging phones and wifi. Our specialist contractors will be checking electrical equipment in customer properties and will repair any items damaged due to the fault. Residents will be kept updated."

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