Aftermath of the substation fire in SemilongAftermath of the substation fire in Semilong
Aftermath of the substation fire in Semilong

Semilong fire: 10 pictures of the Northampton blaze aftermath which ripped through two 11,000 volt substations and cut power to 4,800 homes

Photos from this morning (Friday) show the destroyed substation following huge inferno last night

Pictures from the scene this morning (Friday, April 16) show Western Power Distribution workers dealing with the destroyed substation. The Co-op shop next door has also closed for the due, with a sign on its door saying 'not open due to power cut'.

The fire started at around 9pm in Semilong Road at the substation next to the Co-op shop and in front of Alliston Court, which is a block of flats.

Four fire crews battled for hours trying to put the blaze out, while neigbours watched on from doorsteps and police cordoned of the scene - no one was harmed.

Twelve people were evacuated from Alliston Court and there were power cuts in 4,800 homes in the NN1 and NN2 postcodes.

Around 350 homes are still without electricity in parts of Northampton this morning. Western Power's website says the power could be back on at 4pm today.

The fire was fully extinguished by 2.13am according to Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

An NFRS spokesman said: "The service was called at 9.15pm yesterday (April 15) to Semilong Road and upon arrival it was apparent that the substation was fully involved in a fire.

"Appliances from Mereway, Moulton and The Mounts attended and began with the task of dousing the flames, while a crew from Kettering was also mobilised.

"Twelve people from a small block of flats and a house were evacuated for their safety, and thankfully no-one was harmed during the blaze. Northamptonshire Police was called to the scene due to a crowd gathering nearby, and Western Power also attended as the owners of the substation.

"The cause of the fire has been established as an accidental electrical fire, and the two 11,000 volt substations were completely destroyed during the incident. An adjacent property also had heat damage to the guttering, fascias and windows.

"The fire crew left Semilong Road at 2.13am this morning after the fire was fully extinguished and scans showed the heat of the building had dropped to 35 degrees. The incident was then handed over to Western Power."

Fire boss Jason Urbani said: “Our first thought is always about the protection and safety of our residents and their properties, so we are glad that no-one was injured during this incident. We would like to thank those residents who were evacuated from their homes for their co-operation.

“Fires at substations can represent significant challenges because there is oil on the scene, and when combined with electricity and fire that can present quite a hazard. This was made harder by the substation’s proximity to these homes on Semilong Road.

“But our firefighters responded brilliantly to bring the incident under control and I want to thank them all for their hard work last night.”