A GAS main explosion in Rawtenstall has caused a major fire and power cuts across a large area of Rossendale.

The explosion happened at about 10am underneath a Transco electrical transmission line in Holme Lane, 200 metres from St Mary’s Chambers.

Flames up to 50 feet in height could be seen across the town and smoke could be seen billowing up from several miles away.

To extinguish the flames firefighters requested that the power was completely shut off in the area.

The power is expected to remain turned off while Transco engineers repair the damage this afternoon.

Andrew Beresford, an IT manager who works 200 metres from the station, said: “The flames were well above the height of the neighbouring buildings and gas could be smelt from the office.

“Some of the office workers here lost data they were working on at the time because of the power cut.

“Emergency vehicles were there within 30 seconds of the electricty going out."

A spokesman for United Utilities said: “We will be providing the powerless houses with temporary energy on a rota basis. “Each area will have power for a couple of hours before we move it to generate other areas for the same amount of time. “It’s very difficult to say how long it will be until everything is up and running again.”