including one that resulted in a power outage for the Bermuda Broadcasting Company and 30 area residents.

This fire began just off Fort Hill Road in Devonshire and was caused by a palm tree hitting overhead power lines.

Another blaze began in the bushes just off St. Monica's Road, Pembroke due to what Fire Department duty officer Lt. Morris White called "careless burning''.

After being reported at about 10.30 a.m., a dispatch unit attended the scene and extinguished the burning foliage.

The other fire had wider repercussions and was reported at 11.30 a.m. by a passer-by on Fort Hill Road, Devonshire.

Bermuda Electric Light Company spokesperson Robin McPhee explained that this blaze had been caused by a palm tree which was growing too close to the power lines.

"Either the palm leaves actually hit the wires and caught fire or they hit the wires and caused a spark which dropped and caused the dry foliage below to catch fire,'' she said.

Ms McPhee went on to describe how one of the residents who lost electricity due to the incident reported it to Belco.

"A crew attended the scene along with a fire crew and the fire was put out soon afterwards,'' she added.

One of the customers affected by the fire was the Bermuda Broadcasting Company, who lost power, and whose television and radio stations were consequently put off the air for almost an hour while the problem was being solved.

BBC CEO Rick Richardson said: "All our stations were off the air for around two hours, because it took some time to get the transmitters up and running.'' "It was pretty high revenue time too,'' he added, "not just because it was around this time of year, but also because it was around lunchtime when people were listening to the radio.'' Cool down: Fire fighters tackle a brush fire off St. Monica's Road, Pembroke.

Pictured are William Glasford and Charles Butterfield.

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