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Fire breaks out at seafront electricity substation

Stephen StaffordSouth of England
News imageBBC Fire engines parked up along a road with smoke rising in the backgroundBBC
Fire crews using breathing apparatus tackled the fire

A fire has broken out at an electricity substation on the Dorset coast, leaving a number of properties without power.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said it was called at about 15:45 BST to reports of a fire at Greenhill in Weymouth which had spread to nearby trees and bushes.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus have been using hose reels to extinguish the fire close to the Sealife Centre attraction and skate park. More than 100 properties had initially lost electricity supply, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

Preston Beach Road has been closed while the fire is dealt with.

News imageA view of Weymouth beach with crowds of people enjoying the sunshine, with thick black smoke billowing in the background
Beachgoers could see thick smoke from the fire at the electricity substation

The Sealife Centre also confirmed on Facebook that it had closed because of the fire.

BBC reporter Sophie Cridland on the scene said a plume of black smoke could be seen over the resort.

"It's already a hot day here in Weymouth, making it busy with people on the beach and walking down the Esplanade, and when I arrived fire engines and police cars were blocking the road.

"The wind is blowing the smoke in between the Sealife centre and the skate park."

Beach chalets opposite also have lost electricity because of the fire.

On Sunday evening, DWFRS said seven fire engines were dealing with the blaze.

It urged people living nearby to keep doors and windows closed to avoid breathing in smoke.