A dozen people had a lucky escape when a series of explosions sent flames shooting out of a hole in the pavement they were investigating.

The drama started at 2pm yesterday, Saturday, August 20, when an underground electric cable blew up on the corner of South Lane and Graham Road, New Malden.

The blast, which happened during rain, sent debris flying and left 273 homes without power.

Residents gathered around the 2m hole when two or three further explosions sent flames shooting into the air, singeing a bush, and creating a plume of thick smoke.

No-one was hurt, and quick-thinking residents blocked South Lane to traffic.

Tony Cooper, 55, who lives about 10m from the site, said: "We were sitting in the back room and heard a loud bang.

"We did not know what it was at first but then all our electricity went off.

"We saw a lot of people standing there on the corner and while we were watching we saw two or three more bangs and flames and smoke.

"It was a lucky escape."

UK Power Networks said 273 customers in the South Lane area were left without power after an underground cable developed a fault and interrupted power supplies.

It said electricity was restored at 6.49pm.

Terry Nicholson, 76, of Franks Avenue, said: "I heard a bang. It sounded like a skip on a lorry.

"Then I heard another one and then I saw a big puff of smoke and I thought 'That's unusual'."

Mr Cooper added: "It's the most exciting thing that's happened in South Lane for many a year."