POWER has been restored to all but one home following a fire at a North-East substation.

Northern Powergrid said it was working to ensure the last remaining property had electricity by later this afternoon.

Residents reported hearing an explosion as an electrical box caught fire last night following a power surge at Saltburn substation on the town's Windsor road.

Thousands of customers were left without power. Electricity was restored to many throughout the night.

However, 353 customers in the TS11 area still have no electricity this morning.

This morning Northern Powergrid said on Twitter: "We're continuing to work hard fixing the complex power cut in Redcar, Saltburn & Marske area. 

"Estimated time to restore the remainder of properties is 10am."

The company later revised this to 12.30pm.

A spokeswoman said the company's customer support vehicle was on site throughout the night offering advice, hot water, and a place to charge phones.

She said Northern Powergrid was bringing generators in this morning to restore power.

Residents reported hearing loud explosions and they also saw flames coming from the substation last night.

The explosion had left thousands of homes across Redcar, Marske, Saltburn and Hartlepool without power.

No one is believed to have been hurt and the fire has now been extinguished.

Johanna Parks, who was near the substation at the time of the explosion, said: "There seemed to be two loud bangs, then loads of smoke billowing. There was lots of bursts of flames at first, then a long stream of fire.

"It was a bit scary, but it is all out now, but there is no power. Thanks to the fire brigade who were there in minutes."

A spokesperson for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "Following a power surge, there was an explosion in an electrical box.

"We are in attendance and have sent one appliance to the scene, but I would not describe it as a major fire."