FIREFIGHTERS were called out to reports of an explosion of an electrical transformer on Lower Bath Road in Bridgwater.

The fire broke out in an electrical substation at 12.24pm and crews from Taunton, Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea attended, as well as Western Power and the police, the latter evacuating people from nearby buildings.

Crews got to work with hose jets and fire extinguishers to tackle the blaze, and the Environmental Unit had to be called out after 400-500 litres of insulation oil leaked from the transformer.

The Environmental unit also had to set up for decontamination for asbestos in the fire.

The fire was eventually put out at 3pm, but the transformer was completely destroyed with further damage to the substation.