Underground Electrical Fire Erupts in Central London
A significant fire broke out in an underground utilities tunnel on Theobalds Road in Holborn, central London, leading to a major emergency response. Thick, dark smoke was seen rising high into the sky above the streets, drawing attention to the serious incident below ground.
Emergency services were flooded with 18 calls from the public reporting the blaze, which is believed to involve electrical cables. The London Fire Brigade dispatched a substantial force to the scene, including ten fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters.
Major Emergency Response and Ongoing Incident
Crews from fire stations across the capital, including Soho, Euston, Shoreditch, Islington, and Lambeth, are currently in attendance. Station Commander Paul Morgan has described the situation as a "protracted incident", indicating that firefighting efforts are expected to continue for some time.
The exact cause of the fire is still unknown and remains under investigation by authorities. The complex nature of the underground tunnel fire makes it a challenging operation for the crews on site.
Widespread Travel Disruption and Safety Cordon
The fire has caused considerable disruption across central London. To ensure public safety, a large safety cordon has been established and multiple roads in the vicinity have been closed.
Bus routes have been diverted to avoid the affected area. Despite the chaos at street level, Transport for London (TfL) is currently reporting a 'good service' on all Tube lines. The London Fire Brigade has issued a clear warning, urging members of the public to avoid the area entirely to allow emergency services to work unimpeded and to protect people from the hazardous smoke.
