ELDERLY residents say they are too scared to go out after dark because a fire destroyed lighting outside their homes more than nine weeks ago. An electricity box powering lights outside a set of houses in Lonsdale Road on Weston's Bournville estate was de

ELDERLY residents say they are too scared to go out after dark because a fire destroyed lighting outside their homes more than nine weeks ago.An electricity box powering lights outside a set of houses in Lonsdale Road on Weston's Bournville estate was destroyed in a fire in February.The fire, believed to have been started by a group of youths setting a mattress alight, has meant the outdoor lighting around the group of homes has been out of action since February 26.Tenants of the homes, owned by North Somerset Housing, say they have been calling the housing association, every week but despite promises still have no lighting. As a result, the elderly residents say they are too scared to go out at night, partly because they feel too vulnerable on the estate in the dark, but also because they simply cannot see where they are going.North Somerset Housing has said it has done all it can but has blamed the delay on tracking down the correct electricity supplier.A spokesman said: "Following a substantial fire to the communal areas of the property, the electricity meter supplying the external lighting was destroyed."North Somerset Housing promptly repaired the damage, including replacing the meter casing."However, due to difficulties in determining the electricity supplier, there has been a delay in replacing the meter. A new meter has now been ordered though, and the electricity supply will be restored within the next three weeks.