12 October 2011 Last updated at 13:52 ET

Winster substation fire causes power cut

An explosion is believed to have occurred at the substation

A fire at an electrical substation left up to 34,000 homes without power in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Fire Service said it was thought that there had been an explosion at the substation on the B5056 at Winster.

Western Power Distribution said 15,000 homes were still without power, mostly in Matlock, Darley Dale and Cromford.

Homes in the Ashbourne and Uttoxeter areas were also affected. Part of the B5056 has been closed off.

Firefighters have now put out the fire but the substation building has been declared unsafe.

Western Power Distribution said it was bringing in mobile generators but those homes which are still without power were unlikely to be reconnected overnight.

People have been advised to stay with relatives or make alternative arrangements.