Electrical sub-station explosions

EXPLOSIONS and a major fire at an electrical sub-station yesterday sent flames and acrid black smoke over Madrid, and then foul-smelling, inky soot fell back to earth.

Firefighters sprayed water in powerful jets on the flames, while police evacuated nearby buildings and streets. No one was reported injured.

An electricity outage swept through some neighbourhoods, but within minutes power was restored to most areas.

The cause was not immediately identified, but a worker who had been installing generators at the private electrical utility Union Fenosa’s substation said they exploded when they were turned on.