The Police have now said residents can return to their homes after the major incident was downgraded.A police spokesperson wrote on social media: "The incident is no longer being treated as a major incident. Its cause has been confirmed as an isolated low-voltage cable. Residents are being allowed to return to their homes."The major incident in Kingsbridge this afternoon saw residents of Church Street evacuated and the road cordoned off after a fault with an underground electrical cable.Gerald Taylor, the area manager and head of response and partnerships, Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, wrote on social media in mid-afternoon: "Just been in attendance at an incident in Church Street, Kingsbridge. Multi-agency response. Western Power currently investigating small underground fire involving low voltage power cable. Incident currently scaling down."The police had urged the public to avoid the town centre completely.

A police spokesperson wrote on Facebook: "Emergency services are currently on scene in Church Street, Kingsbridge after residents reported multiple explosions underground."The incident has been declared a "Major Incident" and numerous partner agencies are on scene."Some residents have been evacuated as a safety precaution and a Reception centre has been established to temporarily 'house' these families, in a Covid-secure environment."At this time we are not aware of any serious injuries but one man has been taken to hospital."Roads are closed around the town centre and we ask you to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary."Please avoid attending shops etc in Kingsbridge and stay at home."Gerri and the other staff members at Kingsbridge Food Bank are very kindly providing temporary shelter and refreshments. This is based at the old Avon Farmers store on Wallingford Road, TQ7 1ND. If you are shielding, isolating, or have symptoms of Covid-19, please make this known before attempting to enter the building. "If possible, please call us on 101 quoting Log 284.DCC are setting up a dedicated phone line for anyone evacuated and are in the process of arranging overnight accommodation and transport should this be required."We will keep you all updated throughout the day."The situation is seeing a multi-agency response with the ambulance service, police, fire service, Wales and West Utilities and Western Power Distribution on scene to assess the problem.

A spokesperson for Western Power Distribution confirmed the problem was electrical, saying: "There is an underground cable fault which we are currently working to rectify which is affecting around 100 customers. "We're not sure what caused it at the moment but we are on site as we speak and hope to have it fixed as soon as possible."Wales & West Utilities' gas emergency service manager for south Devon Lee Cotton said: “We were called to reports of an explosion in the Church Street area of Kingsbridge this afternoon (January 21) and immediately sent a team of engineers to the scene.“On arrival we found that an electrical fault on a cable running beneath Church Street had damaged the road surface. "As a precaution, the emergency services evacuated nearby properties and closed the road. “No evidence of a gas leak was found at any of the properties, and this issue was not related to the gas network."If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night. Before visiting, we'll ask you to let us know if you or anyone in your household, is experiencing Coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating. We'll still come and help you: but our teams will take some additional precautions to keep us all safe."