A road is expected to remain shut for days as firefighters remain at the scene of a blaze at a National Grid site, which has resulted in a jump in wholesale electricity prices.

Crews have been tackling the flames in Church Lane, Sellindge, between Hythe and Ashford, since 12.30am yesterday.

National Grid UK said the site has been evacuated and that the "safety of our staff, emergency teams and local residents is our highest priority".

At the peak of the blaze yesterday morning, 12 fire engines were fighting it over fears it could spread to other neighbouring buildings.

By 9.15am, 10 fire engines, a height vehicle and a bulk water carrier remained at the scene in Church Lane.

An update from crews at 2.35pm stated four fire engines, two height vehicles and the technical rescue unit are in attendance, and crews were dampening down remaining hotspots.

As a result of the fire crews' activity, nearby residents were told they may experience a dip in water pressure.

Last night, two fire engines and one height vehicle remained at the scene, and crews were still dampening down remaining hotspots.

But an update at 9.05am today revealed firefighting work had finished at the scene.

A statement said: "Crews have now left the scene and duty of care has been handed to the site owner. The cause of the fire is not yet known."

Church Lane is currently closed at the junction with the industrial estate due to the fire and is expected to remain shut until September 21.

There is a diversion in place via Hythe Road, Station Road, Evegate Mill Lane, Goldwell Lane, Roman Road and vice versa.

As a result of the blaze, a power link between the UK and France had to be shut off, leading to a jump in wholesale electricity prices, PA reports.

Planned maintenance on top of the fire means the IFA (Interconnexion France-Angleterre) interconnector will be offline until September 25, and only half of its two gigawatt capacity available until March 2022.

A National Grid spokesman said:" The IFA interconnector is currently out of service following a fire at our site in Sellindge.

"Following an initial review, we have updated the market that 1000MW is unavailable until 27 March 2022.

"We have extended the outage on the other 1000MW, which was offline due to a planned outage, until 25 September.

"Our investigation is ongoing and we will update the market with any changes as necessary.

"Our IFA2 interconnector continues to operate as normal at full capacity."

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford