Approximately 2,000 people were evacuated from buildings in London today after an electrical fire broke out under a pavement in Holborn.
Fire crews were called after smoke was spotted coming out of an inspection cover at around 12.30 this afternoon, prompting a mass evacuation of buildings nearby.
Police closed the roads at both ends of the street on which the fire took place and a safety cordon was put in place. Thankfully no injuries were reported.
Avoid #Kingsway in #Holborn! pic.twitter.com/72mFSt5Ia2
— BJ Goes (@bj_goes) April 1, 2015
Around 2,000 people evacuated from buildings near cable fire on #kingsway Crews waiting for power to be switched off. pic.twitter.com/HGVDtBF7t5
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 1, 2015
Six fire engines & 35 firefighters at electrical fire on #Kingsway in #Holborn. Avoid if poss http://t.co/tSJuIIExsP pic.twitter.com/DX1NS8FfEQ
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 1, 2015
There are now around 70 firefighters at the #Holbornfire no reports of injuries and local offices have been evacuated pic.twitter.com/8cQTSWSlN2
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 1, 2015
As many as 70 firefighters were present at the scene shortly before 5pm this evening and were waiting on utility companies to disconnect the power supply before attempting to extinguish the blaze.
