Market Drayton street without power after fire alert at shop
One of Market Drayton's main streets was closed to the public and left without power for a short time after a fire alert at a town centre shop.
The Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call reporting a fire at Newlife on Cheshire Street at around 9.25am on Friday.
Two crews rushed to the scene from Hodnet and Market Drayton stations. At around 10am Market Drayton Library reported being without power, and a notification on the National Grid website reported around 51 properties in the area were without power.
An update from the Market Drayton Fire Station team on Facebook said: "On arrival at the scene, the incident commander was informed by staff that they could smell burning in the area of the electrical room, located on the ground floor of a two-storey commercial property.
"On investigating crews found that the electrical room was heavily smoke-logged, with a fire burning on the mains electrical fuse board and involving the incoming mains supply.
"Crews immediately set out getting high pressure hose reel jets to the ground and first floors as a precautionary measure, in case of any hidden fire spread within walls or the false ceiling area.
"Dry powder extinguishers were positioned to cover for any rapid flare-up of the incoming mains supply.
"Firefighters wearing protective high voltage electrical gloves isolated what electrical circuits they could.
"Thermal imaging cameras were used to assist in trying to locate any hidden fire spread within voids of the building.
"There was some slight smoke-logging to the shop floor and first floors of the building.
"An urgent request was made for the attendance of engineers from the National Grid.
"On the arrival of these engineers, there was a requirement for the mains electricity in the immediate area to be isolated."
Cheshire Street was closed to the public including traffic while the fire crews and engineers worked. The firefighters apologised to the public for the disruption.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this disruption, however this was unavoidable, and was required to allow both the engineers and firefighters to completely make the scene safe.
"We would like to thank both drivers and members of the public for their patience and understanding whilst the incident was dealt with.
"We can confirm that there were no injuries at this incident, and that damage was confined to the area of the fuse board and electrical room.
"We would like to praise the members of staff of the property for their prompt actions in evacuating the store, and for providing clear and accurate information to the incident commander and crews."
Power was restored to the affected properties by midday.
