POWER to almost 1,500 homes and businesses in Colchester was cut off after a fire at an electricity substation.

Passers-by alerted emergency services after spotting smoke billowing from the substation, at the junction of Circular Road North and Flagstaff Road, at around 5.30pm on Saturday.

Firefighters doused neighbouring buildings with water to stop the blaze spreading, while engineers from EDF Energy worked to isolate power.

After the substation was earthed, firefighters put out the flames and gave the all-clear at 7.30pm.

Most of the properties were left in darkness for about an hour, but a few were not reconnected until 4.30am yesterday.

Sub-officer Pete Donovan said burning oil in the substation’s transformers caused the thick smoke, which could be seen from across the town.

He said: “While the electricity company worked to make it safe, we doused the surrounding buildings with water to stop the fire spreading.”

Police closed off Circular Road North while the incident was dealt with.

Mike Stuart, from EDF, said engineers worked “as quickly and safely as possible” to restore power to the 1,479 properties affected.

Electricity was back on at more than 1,000 homes and businesses by 7pm, with the last 33 properties in Napier Road reconnected early yesterday morning.

Among the businesses affected was the Fox and Fiddler pub, on St John’s Street, Colchester.

Landlord Jeff Wright said: “All our beer pumps still worked, but it was a bit dim without any lights, and the jukebox went off.

“We always have a box of candles behind the bar, but didn’t need them to use them.”