Probe into sub-station explosion in England

A member of staff working for EDF Energy died at the sub-station in Chelmsford on Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters were called to Bishop Hall Lane in the town after the explosion covered the area with smoke.

Thousands of homes and a hospital were without electricity but have since been reconnected this morning, although EDF said they may suffer more power cuts.

Anglia Ruskin University's Chelmsford Campus was evacuated after the explosion and still remains closed, while Chelmsford General Hospital went to emergency power when supplies were cut.

At the height of the blaze firefighters from across Essex were battling the blaze in Chelmsford which disrupted power supplies and meant Broomfield Hospital had to switch to emergency generators.

Traffic lights in the town went out and a 200 metre exclusion zone was set up around the fire which at its worst could be seen from miles around.

Residents were warned to stay inside and keep their windows closed as thick smoke covered the area on one of the hottest days of the year so far.

A university was evacuated, people advised to keep doors and windows shut against smoke and girls were kept inside a school until going home time.

Firefighters were called to Bishop Hall Lane in Chelmsford after the explosion covered the area with smoke.

Anglia Ruskin University was evacuated and Chelmsford General Hospital went to emergency power when supplies were cut.

Neil Fenwick, from Essex Fire and Rescue, said: "This is a large fire in an electrical sub-station which operates at 132 kilo-watts and supplies power to North Chelmsford.

"The fire is in a building containing electrical switching equipment and a transformer.

"This is likely to be a protracted incident and we are warning residents to keep their doors and windows closed."

A 200m exclusion zone set up by firefighters when they arrived on the scene has now been lifted but there is a protective cordon around the sub-station area.

Essex Police said: "There is nothing to suggest that there is more than one fatality or any other people injured following this fire. The identity of the deceased is yet to be confirmed.