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Power off after sub station fire Power off after sub station fire
(about 2 hours later)
Homes and businesses have been evacuated as firefighters tackle a blaze at an electricity sub station.Homes and businesses have been evacuated as firefighters tackle a blaze at an electricity sub station.
At least 25,000 addresses in Redditch, Worcestershire, were reported to be without electricity after an explosion at a power station in Mason Road. At least 19,000 addresses in Redditch, Worcestershire, were reported to be without electricity after an explosion at a power station in Mason Road.
Residents across the town reported a large plume of black smoke coming from the area on Saturday afternoon.Residents across the town reported a large plume of black smoke coming from the area on Saturday afternoon.
A Central Networks spokeswoman said it was not clear what caused the problem and engineers were working on it.A Central Networks spokeswoman said it was not clear what caused the problem and engineers were working on it.
She added everyone would be reconnected as fast as possible.She added everyone would be reconnected as fast as possible.
The problem first affected 20,000 customers at 1510 BST but by 1615 25,000 were affected. The situation is changing all the time, the spokeswoman said. The problem first affected 20,000 customers at 1510 BST but by 1615 25,000 were affected.
By 2000 GMT the company had switched customers around its network and 19, 000 were still without power, sje said. The situation was changing all the time, the spokeswoman said.
Fire crews had to wait for staff from Central Networks to make sure the power was off before the fire could be tackled.Fire crews had to wait for staff from Central Networks to make sure the power was off before the fire could be tackled.
Police are asking motorists to avoid the area as roads are closed. Police have asked motorists to avoid the area as roads are closed.