Firefighters cleared a large area of Bank Lane at 1pm today after members of the public saw flames shooting out of the electrical unit.

Click on the green button to view our exclusive footage.

Local businesses were left without power after the incident, although no one was hurt in the small blast.

Witness Bob Critchley, 60, from Pound Hill said: "I was sitting having my lunch when I heard a bang and a flash coming out of the substation, or the distributor.

I just thought something was wrong and phoned 999 straight away."

He added: "It could have been worse. There was a car parked right next to it and if anyone had been getting in or out it could have been nasty."

Speaking at the scene, crew commander Terry Beck from Crawley's White Watch, explained: "A member of the public saw a bang and a flash and called us.

"The power was out for a short time at a number of local premises.

"We are now waiting for the power to be isolated before we can proceed further and see what damage has been caused."

Full story in Wednesday's Observer.

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