A PUB was evacuated and a neighbourhood plunged into darkness when fire knocked out a power supply.
The blaze in a fuse box filled the basement of a three-storey terraced house converted into six flats and the pub next door - The Bank - with smoke.
The blaze involved the mains supply and was tackled by fire crews.
Half of the Church Square, Hartlepool, neighbourhood suffered a power cut. The pub was cleared of between 60 and 70 drinkers and staff.
"Obviously, the manager was concerned when smoke spread into his basement. We evacuated all the people inside," said Station Officer Neil Rowland.
"Everyone realises smoke is a killer. It was a small fire, but it escalated to evacuation because of the smoke.
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