Homes are left without power

FAMILIES were without electricity in their homes today after a cable burned out, triggering an overnight repair operation.

ScottishPower said 127 homes were affected by the fault on The Loan, in Loanhead, which was found at around 4pm yesterday.

Engineers worked through the night to dig out and replace a section of the cable, managing to reconnect a supply to 100 properties by 6am today.

The problem was spotted by passers-by who called the emergency services after seeing smoke pouring from a manhole, close to the area's bowling club.

Firefighters stood by with C02 extinguishers.

One witness said: "Apparently there was a bit of a rumble coming from it earlier."