In pictures: Blackout on Black Friday – huge power cut hits central London

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A huge blackout has hit central London, including Soho and parts of Piccadilly Circus. 

The blackout left PIccadilly Circus' iconic advertising boards blank, while diners were forced to eat by candle light.

Lights were out in shops and restaurants, while commuters reported overcrowding in Tube stations as shoppers and revellers went to other parts of the capital.

Twitter user Emma Atkinson said Oxford Circus was in "crowd chaos", with Soho in a complete blackout and Tottenham Court Road station "swamped".

Just after 6.30pm, UK Power Networks tweeted that engineers were on their way and it expected power to be restored within two hours.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said no crimes had been reported.

Some pointed out the coincidence of the power cut falling on Black Friday:

Some just took the opportunity to post pictures of the unusual sight of central London in darkness: 

https://twitter.com/emmatkinson/status/802212133371052032

https://twitter.com/RupertStreetBar/status/802215416546426880

https://twitter.com/KingChicken/status/802220508674686977

https://twitter.com/CenturySoho/status/802227778066255873

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