Solar flares in power outage

SOLAR flares could knock out power supplies and even cause PCs to burst into flames, experts warn.

Scientists are calling for satellites to detect blasts of energy from the sun a week before they hit Earth.

They say damage to PCs, data cables and power lines, caused by intense magnetic fields destroying electronics, could cost the UK around £16billion.

A Met Office study said: “If no investment happens, critical infrastructure will become more vulnerable.”