That’s not the way to go for the sympathy vote: 600,000 Brazilians left without power after decorator climbs pylon after having a row with his wife

Domestic began when Reginaldo Rocha, 49, arrived home from work after drinking with pals and admitted he had blown over £150 on drink

After climbing the pylon five entire towns were plunged into darkness

Five Brazilian towns were left without electricity - because a man had a row with his wife, it was reported today.



The domestic began when Reginaldo Rocha, 49, arrived home from work late after drinking with pals - and admitted to his wife he had blown over £150 on drink.



As the quarrel escalated, painter and decorator Reginaldo stormed out the house in Sorocaba, in the state of Sao Paulo, southeast Brazil.

Head for heights: After a row with his wife, Reginaldo Rocha, climbed up a nearby electricity pylon and threatened to throw himself from the top

Dangerous: As the incident unfolded on last night, electricity company chiefs decided to switch off the supply so he wouldn't be electrocuted by the pylon's 80,000 volts

He then climbed up a nearby electricity pylon and threatened to throw himself from the top.



As the incident unfolded on last night, electricity company chiefs decided to switch off the supply so he wouldn't be electrocuted by the pylon's 80,000 volts.

But as a result five entire towns were plunged into darkness, affecting a total of more than 600,000 people.



Escalation: The domestic began when Reginaldo Rocha, 49, arrived home from work late after drinking with pals - and admitted to his wife he had blown over £150 on drink Chaos: With no traffic lights working, the blackout caused chaos on the streets. The region's telephone system was also interrupted and even the national emergency number 192 stopped working With no traffic lights working, the blackout caused chaos on the streets, Brazil's Jornal Cruzeiro do Sul newspaper reported.



The region's telephone system was also interrupted and even the national emergency number 192 stopped working.



As well as Sorocaba, the towns of Capela do Alto, Ipero, Aracoiaba da Serra and Boituva were also disconnected - an area of over 50 square miles.

Team effort: Fifty police officers and firemen, as well as Reginaldo's family, spent over three hours trying to persuade him to come down