Residents hear explosions as fire erupts from manholes

Residents have reported hearing explosions after manhole covers were "blown open" by an underground fire.

Footage showed flames emerging from a manhole near The Victoria Cross pub in Parkstone, Dorset.

The blaze, which was reported at about 12:30 BST, also caused a power cut in and around Ashley Road, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said.

The power supply should be restored by midnight, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said.

The fire service said the blaze was extinguished by 14:10.

In a statement, it said: "A crew from Westbourne attended and an underground fire was identified, which had affected at least four manhole covers and caused some loss of power in the immediate area.

Ashley Road was closed at its junction with Mansfield Road and Victoria Road, and people were advised to avoid the area.

Residents in a local Facebook group reported hearing explosions "like gunfire" when manhole covers flew off.

SSEN said the power cut was confined to streets in the immediate area, including Ashley Road, Mansfield Road and Victoria Road.

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