SHOPS and homes were without power for more than three hours last night after an electrical fire broke out.

Firefighters from Dee Road were called to Meadway Precinct at around 11.30pm when smoke could be seen coming from a nearby substation.

The fire was caused by an electrical fault in one of the junction boxes attached to the station and was promptly dealt with.

However, many residents in Tilehurst were left without power for several hours.

Watch manager Mark Jones, from Dee Road station, said: "We were called to Meadway Precinct at approximately 11.30pm after we received a call about a smoking substation.

"The power at Meadway Precinct was shut down for more than three hours.

"The fire was coming from the junction box which was attached to the substation. It was an electrical fire and we believe it was a result of natural causes.

"We used electrical gloves and the Co2 extinguisher to get the fire under control. The power at the precinct was shut down for at least three hours.

"The electricity board came out very quickly to repair the whole junction box."

Firefighters were on the scene for around half an hour and nobody was hurt by the fire.