More than 21,000 properties in the centre of Birmingham were without power due to an underground network fault.

Electricity was lost at 1223 BST, but the vast majority had supplies restored by 1237 BST, Central Networks said.

More than 230 properties, including ones in Newhall Street, Cornwall Street and Victoria Square, remained without power at 1420 BST.

Thirty-five were without supplies an hour later. Central Networks apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Earlier, Eleanor Ingamells, who works as an office junior and receptionist at a solicitors’ firm, said: “We can’t get out through the main door and we can’t get kind of in because it’s an electric door.

“So it’s quite embarrassing when we have to lead our clients through the fire escape which they have to climb through.”

Staff at transport body Centro in Summer Lane were among those affected.

West Midlands Police said its power went off, but generators kicked in.

A Central Networks spokesperson said: “Our priority is to get supplies back on as quickly and as safety as we can.

“We are able to switch supplies for the majority of the customers affected to other parts of the network.”

Posted on Friday, October 8th, 2010 at 10:41 am and filed under Website, Press Release.

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