Roofs ripped from houses...steel beams grotesquely twisted...a supermarket caved in... electricity poles felled...

The haunting images of Hurricane Andrew's murderous wrecking spree in the Bahamas were brought home yesterday by six Bermudian linemen.

They conjured up a scene resembling a bomb-shattered landscape, saying it would take months to restore normality.

"It was literally like a war zone,'' 29-year-old Mr. Sinclair Smith told The Royal Gazette .

"It was as if a couple of bombs had been dropped. There was absolute devastation.'' He added: "I was really shocked. This was far worse than Hurricane Emily.'' But it was the spirit of the Bahamian people as they battled to restore order to their lives which shone through the mayhem.

Every day had become an ordeal, coping with generators following the destruction of power supplies.

And to the victims, the six men from Bermuda Electric Light Company were heroes.

They helped re-energise the community ... in more ways than one.

The crew, now back in Bermuda, spent three hectic weeks cleaning up the mess on the crowded island of Spanish Wells.

It was clear immediately their expertise had played a vital role.

With just one lineman, and a trainee, the small island was a helpless victim of Andrew.

That is, until September 6, when Belco sent in their crew of volunteers to help for a couple of weeks.

Led by foreman Mr. Howard Simmons, it included Mr. Smith, Mr. Derek Thompson, Mr. Craig Brangman, Mr. Gregory Sampson, and Mr. Calvin Cumberbatch.

It was to be the trip of a lifetime. But their belief they would be staying at a luxury Club Med hotel -- complete with swimming pool -- was brutally shattered.

Such was Andrew's legacy, their lodgings for the first few days were, bizarrely, a fishing boat.

"It was really strange. I haven't experienced anything like it, and wasn't expecting it,'' exclaimed Mr. Cumberbatch, with a laugh.

"We all adapted very well, however, and it was pretty good.'' And any illusions their role would be something akin to a spot of glorified DIY work were also quickly knocked on the head.

They worked flat out, breaking sweat for 12 or more hours per day, seven days a week.

It was a massive task confronting them: replacing or straightening up to 200 poles.

They also set about rebuilding most of the main line system of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation.

To local people, the sight of linemen strapping on belts and clambering up poles became a regular sideshow.

"We attracted a group of spectators. They had never seen anyone climb poles, and seemed fascinated by us,'' said Mr. Simmons.

All of the island's main lines were down, and many transformers had been ripped from the poles.

The crew's work helped restore supplies to businesses, including department stores.

With the island a strong fishing community, it was important to get big freezers humming again.

To complete their work, they were asked to extend their stay by an extra week.

By this time they had plusher accommodation -- a three-bedroom house to themselves, operating with a generator.

And they were also accepted by the community.

Said Mr. Cumberbatch: "The first reaction wasn't too good, but we always had a smile on our faces, and after three or four days people were warming to us.'' And when they finally left they were given a huge, grateful send-off, with invitations to return ringing in their ears.

Said Mr. Smith: "I was really proud to be part of the crew, and the relief effort. It is something I will always remember.'' SIX OF THE BEST -- Back at work after clearing up Hurricane Andrew's legacy in the Bahamas are, from left, BELCO linemen Mr. Calvin Cumberbatch, Mr. Craig Brangman, Mr. Derek Thompson, Mr. Gregory Sampson, Mr. Sinclair Smith, and foreman Mr. Howard Simmons.