Last updated 10:07, Thursday, 30 October 2008

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FAMILIES were evacuated following a series of explosions near their homes.
The drama unfolded on the corner of Schneider Road and Alder Road, Barrow.
An underground main electricity cable is believed to have caused the explosions at around 10am on Wednesday. Police and fire crews attended. The road was cordoned off as a precaution.
Watch manager Steve Bushell, of Barrow fire service, said: “There were a few explosions under the road. We witnessed a couple when we got here. We called United Utilities. The police came and shut the road. We have evacuated two houses on the corner of the street.”
A police spokeswoman said officers had been called to attend Alder Road after reports of an electricity explosion underground.
She added that the road had been cordoned off as a precaution while they were waiting for United Utilities to arrive at the scene.
Stacey Parsons, who works at Baguette-Me-Not, in Schneider Road, said there had been an explosion underground.
She said: “One of the lads has come in from the secondhand shop across the road. He said a large piece of tarmac flew up out of the road.
“They are still not letting any cars through.”
At 12.30pm roads were being reopened