Plea from Norfolk County Council after fire and suspected power surge: don’t call us
Richard Dromey, Norfolk Fire and Rescue's district manager for Norwich, at County Hall. Picture: Stuart Anderson - Credit: Archant
Engineers and staff will be working through the weekend after a fire knocked out Norfolk County Council's telephone, email and internet systems. - The usual emergency telephone numbers will be in effect as normal throughout the weekend - Registrar services and museums continue to operate as normal
The evacuation at County Hall Picture: Contributed - Credit: Archant
The council pleaded for people not to call them unless there was an emergency, following the fire and suspected power surge.
A spokesman said the council's phone lines and internet services were still down after a blaze broke out in a battery room of the computer suite at County Hall in Martineau Lane, Norwich, at around 10am today.
The spokesman urged the public not to call the council unless there was an emergency.
And Wendy Thomson, managing director of Norfolk County Council, said: 'The incident occurred due to a suspected power surge which caused a small electrical fire and brought down several operational systems.
'We temporarily evacuated County Hall as a precaution, while Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service made sure the building was safe.
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'Our robust business continuity plans were implemented immediately and we have been able to maintain vital services throughout the day.
'I'd like to thank staff for working hard to minimise disruption to the public and a special thanks to those who are giving up their Bank Holiday weekends to ensure we're fully operational as soon as possible.
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'I'd like to apologise to anyone who experiences disruption as a result of this incident and thank residents for bearing with us while we make the necessary repairs.'
The council said the usual emergency telephone numbers will be in effect as normal throughout the weekend, while registrar services and museums continue to operate as normal.
