A SMALL fire involving an underground electricity cable caused traffic disruption in Southampton.

Part of Wide Lane - the main route between the M27 and Southampton International Airport - was closed in both directions for about an hour yesterday.

Traffic was diverted along Stoneham Lane and Southampton Road.

The fire, which involved a cable supplying street lights in the area, broke out beside a slip road at Junction 5 of the M27 just before 1.30pm.

A crew from Eastleigh fire station was sent to the incident.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the crew did not need to take any action but waited at the scene until electricity board engineers arrived.

A spokesman said: “There was a bit of smoke and quite a strong electrical smell but no flames.”

The fire is thought to have been caused by a power surge.