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Power off after sub-station fire Power off after sub-station fire
(about 1 hour later)
Homes and businesses have been evacuated as firefighters tackle a blaze at an electricity sub-station. Thousands of homes have been without power following a fire at an electricity sub-station.
At least 19,000 addresses in Redditch, Worcestershire, were reported to be without electricity after an explosion at a power station in Mason Road. About 25,000 addresses in Redditch, Worcestershire, were reported to be without electricity after an explosion at a power station in Mason Road.
A Central Networks spokeswoman said power had been restored to about 20,000 but just over 5,000 still had no power.
She said it was not clear what had caused the fire, which is now out, and engineers were working on the problem.
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. The fire left thousands without powerFire crews had to wait for staff from Central Networks to make sure the power was off before the fire could be tackled.
She added everyone would be reconnected as fast as possible. The company was continuing to switch customers around its network, the spokeswoman said.
The problem first affected 20,000 customers at 1510 GMT but by 1615 GMT 25,000 were affected. She added that everyone would be reconnected as fast as possible and that staff were now able to go into the sub-station to assess what damage there was.
The fire left thousands without power
By 2000 GMT the company had switched customers around its network and 19,000 were still without power, she said.
Fire crews had to wait for staff from Central Networks to make sure the power was off before the fire could be tackled.
Police have asked motorists to avoid the area as roads are closed.