Explosion in city sparks power cut

THOUSANDS of homes were without power after an electrical substation exploded in Leicester city centre on Tuesday morning.

The unit at Ravensbridge Drive led to blackouts affecting some 45,000 customers in the city as well as Groby, Glenfield and Birstall.

Traffic lights were also out leading to chaos on the roads and drivers being urged to avoid the area.

All emergency services were aware with police and fire crews attended the scene along with officials from electricity supply operator Western Power Distribution.

Plumes of thick black smoke were seen rising from the substation area.

A Leicestershire Police spokesman said on Tuesday: “We aware of a power cut due to an electrical substation fire in the city centre area. This has affected around 45,000 people in the Groby, Glenfield, Birstall and surrounding areas.

“This power cut is also affecting traffic lights in the surrounding areas. Please take care when driving.”

Multiple calls from members of the public were received by the emergency services at around 10.45am today Tuesday March 21.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service immediately sent out two appliances from Central Fire Station, one from Western and the incident support unit from Uppingham.

A fire spokesman said: “We received multiple calls to reports of an electrical substation on fire with several explosions heard.

“On arrival crews found it was a high voltage electrical sub-station heavily involved in fire following an explosion.

“We employed covering jets to protect surrounding buildings and liaised with police to contact neighbouring properties. Residents have been advised to keep windows closed due to smoke.”

Containing 8,815 litres of oil it was being allowed to burn off while the building next to it was being doused with a jet to keep it cool.

Fire crews used an aqueous film forming jet on the sub-station once the transformer was isolated and Wester Power gave permission for the action.