FIREFIGHTERS were called to an electrical fire beneath an Isle of Wight road which left homes in five post code areas without power.

A retained fire crew from Shanklin was called out at 1.07pm to St John's Crescent in Sandown, following a report of smoke billowing out from a manhole in the street.

The area was isolated while Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) engineers made their way to the scene.

The fire crew erected a cordon and remained in attendance while SSE isolated the electrics, leading to a power outage in a small area of Sandown at 1.40pm.

Fire teams took no further action and the incident was handed over to SSE for investigation.

The postcodes affected by the power cut were PO36 8BE, PO36 8BQ, PO36 8DZ, PO36 8EE and PO36 8EG.

SSE were able to fully restore power to the area at 8pm. 

The company apologises to affected customers for any inconvenience caused.