The fire, on Vickers Road, started about 11.45am.

Albury Civic fire station captain John Vandeven said the fire had started in underground cables and had spread to the wooden pole.

“When we arrived it was well alight,” he said.

“People told us after we extinguished the fire there were a few loud bangs before it started.

“We assume it was a short circuit that caused the fire.”

Mr Vandeven said firefighters had used water to extinguish the blaze, but the stream had to be broken.

“With a constant water stream there would be a chance of electricity going up the stream, so it had to be done in pulses,” he said.

“The fire would have gone about five or six metres up the pole.

“The electricity company arrived quickly.”

Essential Energy southern regional manager Steven Illitch said network protection equipment had been activated by the fault and had isolated the power supply.

“Crews from Albury depot responded immediately and discovered a power pole alight on the corner of Vickers Road and Pine Avenue, Lavington,” he said.

“The safety of the site was secured and the power supply restored to the majority of customers within 90 minutes.”

Crews carried out onsite repairs for several hours and all customers had their power restored by 6pm last night.