Shoppers and supermarket workers spilled out onto Church Street yesterday afternoon after the lights went out and smoke filled the air.

A Marketplace worker said she heard a 'bam' and then the lights went out. That's when she noticed smoke which appeared to be coming from the warehouse.

Scott Quinn, the Fire Sergeant on the scene said: "We were called around 2.15. The transformer blew, which is what created the smoke. Everything is back to normal."

In what appears to be a related incident, the Perry Building, which is next to the Marketplace on Church Street was without power yesterday afternoon.

Air conditioning, phone and computer systems were all down causing the office of the Tax Commissioner to close for the rest of the day, according to a Government spokesperson.