A cordon has been set up in Ipswich town centre after flames were seen shooting out of a manhole cover.

Police and firefighters have been called to keep the public safe following reports of a possible electrical incident near the former Co-op building in Carr Street.

A spokesman for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: “There were flames and smoke seen coming from a metal manhole cover.

“A cordon is in place and UK Power Networks have been requested to attend.”

Suffolk police were called in to help with crowd control after onlookers gathered around the smoking manhole cover.

The incident was first reported to the fire service at around 4.45pm.

By 6.30pm, emergency services were awaiting the arrival of UK Power Networks engineers.