BT's Bluebell Hill exchange in Chatham, Kent, caught fire on Wednesday, putting 20,000 lines in jeopardy.

The blaze began at around 11am and caused extensive damage to the power room, though the actual telecoms gear escaped relatively unscathed. When the mains was lost, back-up generators quickly cut-in, but were themselves consumed by the flames.

Techies continue to monitor Bluebell Hill for "wrinkles" in the network. BT is still counting the cost of the fire, and cannot say when a permanent power supply will be restored.

Investigations by BT, its electricity supplier EDF and the fire brigade are ongoing. A spokesman for BT told The Reg there is no indication of suspicious circumstances at this stage.

Chatham is, of course, famed as the mothership for the so-called "chav phenomenon", whereby everyone has a good laugh at poor people for swearing, pushing prams, wearing hoodies and driving souped-up Vauxhall Novae. ®

Related stories

• BT slashes consumer prices (31 July 2006)
• BT tops DSL league (17 July 2006)
• BT exchange reopens after asbestos scare (4 May 2006)
• 'Chav' caps banned from easyInternetCafe (19 December 2005)
• Chav gadget returns (25 November 2005)
• Chav burglar collared by webcam (17 February 2005)
• eBayers go mental for Burberry-clad Chavmobile (4 February 2005)
• Oi, Chav! Check out me website! (6 October 2004)
• BT will compensate customers for Manchester blaze (10 May 2004)
• Manchester given all-clear after BT fire (5 April 2004)
• BT fire: Everything should be sorted by Monday (2 April 2004)
• BT fire: ‘situation improving’ (31 March 2004)
• BT denies cable fire was in A-bomb exchange (30 March 2004)