It said it found burn marks on a makeshift power switchboard and a 15cm (six-inch) dead animal nearby.

BBC: Fukushima: Rat linked to outage at Japan nuclear plant

The company suspects the rodent may have caused a short-circuit in a switchboard, triggering the power cut.

BBC: Fukushima: Rat linked to outage at Japan nuclear plant

The company said a rat had damaged the electrics, causing a short circuit in a switchboard and triggering the power cut.

BBC: Fukushima nuclear plant: Cooling system power restored

Tepco officials said a rat had damaged the electrics, causing a short circuit in a switchboard and triggering the power cut.

BBC: IAEA calls for improvements at Japan's Fukushima plant