Photo by Deb Gau Part of the Xcel Energy electrical substation near Balaton caught on fire Thursday evening. Balaton firefighters secured the area, until a crew from Xcel could get to the substation and extinguish the fire.

BALATON — Firefighters were called to a fire at the electrical substation just outside of Balaton on Thursday evening. While the fire burned for at least an hour before an Xcel Energy crew arrived to put it out, there was no interruption to electrical service, an Xcel spokesperson said.

Balaton Fire and Ambulance were called to the substation, located along Lyon County Road 5, around 5:10 p.m. A passer-by heard a boom and saw flames coming from part of the substation, said Mitch Holm, of the Balaton Fire Department.

The fire department contacted Xcel Energy, and were instructed to secure the area around the substation until an Xcel crew could get there, Holm said. Firefighters and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office helped direct traffic past the substation while waiting for Xcel Energy to arrive.

An Xcel Energy crew arrived at the substation to extinguish the fire. However, as of 7 p.m. Thursday, the cause of the fire was still unknown.