FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a suspected electrical fault described as a "firework" by onlookers.

A crew from The Slade, Headington, were alerted at about 10.20pm, after a spark, believed to be from underground electrics, fired on the corner of Bulwarks Lane and New Road.

Firefighters cordoned off part of the lane and incident commander, crew manager Justin Marah, said that electricians had been called.

He added: "It's happened once while we've been here. There's something flashing and banging. It was like a firework. 

"People have said it's happened a few times over the past few days. It looks like something with the underground electrics."

Mohammad Ghalib, manager of Castle News, which is on New Road, said: "It's happened a few times in the past couple of days.

"I was here on Friday and I heard a bang, like an explosion, and saw people running away.

"People have said it's a buzzing and then a flashing light, like a firework.

"Our electricity hasn't been affected and the building has been checked. I think it's electrics underground."