A FIRE broke out in an electrical substation near Tonge Moor this morning causing more than 300 properties to lose power.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at the site in Britannia Way at 3.50am.

Two crews from Bolton Central cordoned off the area and closed the surrounding roads, including Union Road, for half an hour until the fire was burnt out.

Electricity North West isolated the station remotely in order to make the area safe.

The fire left 370 properties without electricity but the power was restored within 15 minutes.

Engineers said two properties remain without power and engineers are still waiting to access the site in order to reconnect them.

Bolton Central watch manager Tony McKenna said: “The electricity substation was well alight when we got there and we had to corner the area off and close the roads for public safety.

“The station has low and high currents so had to be isolated to be made safe. We there until 5.30am.

“All efforts are being made to reconnect the remaining units at the station.”

The cause of the fire is not yet known.