Fire crews respond to reports of smoke emitting from manhole cover following unplanned power cut

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were called at approximately 4.45pm yesterday evening (February 16) with reports of smoke coming from a manhole cover in Twyford Avenue following a power cut in the area.

Fire crews from Southsea responded to the incident and carried out an investigation upon arrival.

A spokesperson for the fire service said the team were unable to find any signs of fire and they handed the incident over to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

The unplanned power cut, which was first reported at 3.20pm on February 16, is currently impacting six postcodes and approximately 50 customers in the area.

It has been confirmed that an engineer is now on site and it is anticipated that the issue will be resolved by 3pm today.

The SSEN website says: “We’re sorry about the power cut in the area.

“We are working with our engineers to fix the problem as quickly as possible.”

For more information about the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, click here.