Signals restored after arson attack

Electricity has been restored to a transmitter that was deliberately set on fire, affecting the television and radio broadcasts to thousands of homes.

The fire service were called to the blaze at the site in Bathampton, near Bath in North Somerset.

Crews extinguished the fire in three sheds at the site, but the damage caused a power cut resulting in a loss of broadcast services to around 80,000 homes in the area.

Freeview television channels, BBC Radio Bristol, national analogue and digital radio channels were all disrupted.

The transmitter - which also provides a mobile network service - is owned by the communications infrastructure and media services company Arqiva.

Engineers from the company had to switch off the power supply to the transmitter to assess the damage to the structure.

A spokesman said there was fire damage to multiple feeders, which carry the digital signals between the antenna and transmitter.

"Electricity service is now restored and Arqiva engineers have been on site repairing the damage," he said.

"Some radio services have been given a temporary feed to help restore the service quickly whilst repairs are undertaken. Television and national and some local radio stations are now fully back on air. Mobile network still has some disruption but engineers from both Arqiva and operators are working to repair damage."

Avon and Somerset Police attended the site off Golf Course Road along with Avon Fire and Rescue crews after early indications suggested the fire was started deliberately. Arqiva later said the fire had officially been declared as arson.