Hundreds of homes are without power this evening after an electricity sub station "exploded".

Tina Washington said she heard a "big bang" at around 4.30pm in Rede Wood Road, Barming.

The blast came from an electricity sub station and he says there was initially a small fire but that the blaze is now out.

Fire crews and UK Power Networks engineers are on the scene.

At one point almost 2,000 homes were without power but by 6pm all but 150 were back on grid.

The utility provider said: "We’re sorry for any disruption this may have caused you. We didn’t know in advance there would be a power cut, but now that we know, our teams will do everything they can to get your power back quickly."

It estimates all power will be restored by 8.30pm but residents said they had received a text saying it could be as late as 10pm.

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