Fire in electrical cupboard leaves flats without power

A number of Brentwood flats have been left without power following a fire in an electrical cupboard. 

Crews were called to Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, this morning after reports of smoke filling a communal hallway in a three-story block of flats. 

On arrival firefighters reported the fire was in a ground-floor cupboard that housed electrics. 

Firefighters evacuated the ground floor of the building and asked the first and second floor residents to stay put, as per the building's stay put policy. 

Crews quickly tackled the fire, which had started after a crack in a water pipe had led to water reaching the fuse board in the cupboard. After extinguishing the fire crews then ventilated the building.. 

The fire has left a number of flats without power and officers on scene were told it may be up to a few days before the power can be restored.