A TOWN centre nightclub had to be evacuated on Saturday night after an electrical fire blew a manhole cover out of the ground.

At around 11.30pm on Saturday, police and the fire service were called to the Liquor Lounge on Henry Street after black smoke was seen billowing out of a drain by the fire exit.

Revellers were told to leave the club which remained closed for the remainder of the night, along with the Subway eatery across the road.

The cause of the fire is currently not known and is being investigated by the fire service.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We were called at 11.27pm on Saturday to Liquor Lounge in Henley Street. A manhole cover was lifted up and there was a fire underneath, which looked like it was electrical. Black smoke was seen coming out from the drain.

“The manhole cover is located right at the opening of the fire exit of Liquor Lounge. The cover is said to have exploded out of the ground. The investigation was led by Swindon Council and the fire service and Henley Street was closed.

“The club was evacuated at 12.30am and closed for the rest of the night, and Subway was also closed.

“The electricity board took over just before 1am and the fire was out by 2.30am. The cause is now being investigated by the fire brigade.”