Fire cut power to almost 2,000 properties

The fire was reported to emergency services shortly before midnight

Almost 2,000 properties were left without power in Leicestershire after a fire damaged electrical equipment.

Shortly before 00:00 GMT on Tuesday, a pole-mounted transformer near Melton Mowbray was reported to be on fire.

The power cut affected 1,898 properties north of Melton Mowbray and at the village of Thorpe Satchville, according to National Grid, but most had their supplies restored before 01:00 GMT on Wednesday.

The final 86 businesses and homes were reconnected shortly after 07:00 and an investigation into the cause is under way.

The fire service said call outs to electrical emergencies presented unique challenges

A spokesperson for National Grid Electricity Distribution said: "We apologise for any inconvenience this incident caused customers and would like to thank them for their patience while repairs were carried out."

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service added: "Incidents involving electrical equipment like this require careful planning and coordination — it's not as simple as just putting water on the flames.

"Our crews worked closely with the National Grid, who first had to isolate the high-voltage supply and earth the system to make sure it was completely safe before firefighting operations could begin."