AN ELECTRICAL substation fire is believed to have been behind widespread power problems in East Swindon last night.

Residents reported hearing a "massive bang" and seeing "flashes of light", followed by electricity supplies to homes pulsing on and off.

The power problems affected Liden and Badbury Park.

The cause is thought to have been a fire in an electrical substation on Marlborough Road. The fire broke out in the high voltage overhead power cables.

Two crews from Drove Road fire station were called to the fire shortly after 1.20am this morning.

A spokeswoman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had extinguished itself. Firefighters left the scene just before 2.30am.

Electrical board SSE said the problems with the electrical supply lasted around an hour while their engineers fixed the problem. 

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