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More than 100 properties still without power in Gillingham

More than a hundred properties are still without electricity after a power cut hit two postcodes in Gillingham on Monday.

UK Power Networks were called to Franklin Road in Gillingham at 3.58pm on Monday after a cable fault interrupted supplies to 101 customers in the ME72 and ME74 postcode areas.

The company says repair work was suspended at 8.17am yesterday "on the advice of the gas company when a gas leak was discovered".

Road closures were put in place for the engineers were fixed the problem (5657850)
Road closures were put in place for the engineers were fixed the problem (5657850)

It meant UK Power Networks engineers had to turn off supplies to 133 further customers in Gillingham at 3.07pm and 4pm yesterday to enable the gas company to safely complete repairs to a gas leak.

Gas engineers completed the work this morning and gave clearance at 10.50am today for UK Power Networks engineers to begin work to restore supplies to 150 customers still without power.

Among those affected was midwife Danielle Burnett, who was in Mel'z Cafe in Napier Road getting some hot food after her night shift at the hospital.

Danielle, who lives nearby and had been without power since yesterday, said: "My house is freezing cold and I'm about to go home to go to bed. I've been working night shifts and my family has been in the house all night freezing.

"I just want to go and have a shower. I'm a midwife and I've been looking at yet labouring women all night.

"I've just come in here to get some food for me and my son because there's no way of preparing food indoors."

SGN gas network engineers were on hand to help (5657841)
SGN gas network engineers were on hand to help (5657841)

She estimated she'd lost more than £100 of food stored in her freezer, but feared she'd only be offered £75 compensation.

Also affected Eric Scott, owner of Anglers Den in Franklin Road.

"The power went out Sunday and then again on Monday and was out all day yesterday," he said. "I came in this morning wondering what I was going to find and it was on.

"I've got to see what I've lost. I've got a lot of frozen bait - squid, mackerel, herring, sand eels. I haven't assessed it - what's at the bottom might be salvageable.

"How can I work out how much trade I've lost? There might have been a geezer that wanted to spend £500. All I know is I lost trade yesterday and Monday."

And he said he remained concerned for elderly people living in the area.

Eric Scott is the owner of Anglers Den on Franklin Road was impacted by the power cut (5657854)
Eric Scott is the owner of Anglers Den on Franklin Road was impacted by the power cut (5657854)

"There's two old ladies I look after on both sides of the shop," he added. "They weren't panicking but they were concerned. They're on their own with no lights and heating."

UK Power Networks spokeswoman Niamh Arnett said: "Our support vehicle has been in the area to provide hot food and drinks, temporary power supply, wifi, help and advice to customers whilst their power is being restored. Our customer advisers are working in the area, keeping people updated, and a food van has been on site to provide hot meals.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and have worked closely with the gas company to enable them to complete their repairs so that we can restore all electricity supplies as quickly as possible."

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