A BUSY Dorset road was closed this afternoon following an underground fire.

Station Road in West Moors was closed in both directions between Moorlands Road and The Avenue following a fire in a high voltage, underground electricity sub-station.

Heavy rain is believed to have caused the fire.

The road has since been re-opened, but a section around the manhole has been cordoned off to allow a Southern Electric crew to carry out work on the damaged electricity cable.

Fire crews were called at 12.20pm after smoke was seen coming out of the manhole cover.

Firefighters contacted Southern Electric, which sent two vans to the scene and isolated the electricity supply.

A small number of nearby properties have been affected, including the Tap and Railway pub and a block of sheltered housing flats.

One person had to be rescued from a lift by firefighters following the power outage.

It will take an estimated four to five hours for the repair work to be completed and the electricity supply restored to the affected properties.