A FIRE at Reading Gate retail park knocked out power to the Madejski Stadium.

Smoke billowed from an electrical substation behind the new Eamonn Dolan stand shortly after 1pm today.

Reading FC's match against Brighton & Hove Albion went ahead as expected.

Customers at the trading estate were evacuated from stores as firefighters battled the blaze.

Reading Chronicle:

Photos by Caversham Road fire station

Two people are being treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.

Backup generators kept some power running at the stadium where the match is began at 3pm.

SSE have engineers on site and say power has been restored.

Lee-Ann Fullerton, a spokesman for SSE said emergency services were called after a fire at a substation behind the retail park.

"We had an issue at a substation at Reading Gate retail park" she said.

"We had to switch power off at 1.34pm this afternoon.

"We have got engineers on the site and power has been returned to Reading FC's stadium.

"Other customers should have power back by 3pm. We'd like to apologise for the inconvenience caused."

Reading Chronicle:

Photo by Emily Walker

Paul Mortimer, watch manager at Whitley Wood fire station said several loud bangs were heard as massive fuses in the substation blew.

"The substation was fully alight when we arrived," he said. "We think it started in a wheeliebin and then spread to the substation."

Fire crews from Whitley Wood, Caversham Road, and Wokingham Road were called to the scene.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said one ambulance and one team leader was sent to the scene.

"The call came in at 1.07pm," she said. "One person was treated for smoke inhalation and has already been discharged, another is being treated at the scene."

Reading Gate retial park is closed and shoppers are being diverted away from the scene.

Stores between PC world and Costa were left without power and the shops are expected to be without power until 8pm.