Fire breaks out in Holborn under Civil Aviation Authority building
Smoke: the fire brigade said four engines had been sent to the scene (Picture: London Fire Brigade/@LondonFire)
SEBASTIAN MANN
Published: 01 April 2015
Updated: 15:27, 01 April 2015
Thousands of people were forced to flee office buildings in central London when a fire broke out under the street outside.
Around 2,000 office workers were ordered to evacuate buildings due to the blaze which started shortly after midday today.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called at around 12.40pm to a blaze in Holborn thought to have been caused by a faulty electrical junction box beneath the street.
Pictures from the scene showed large amounts of smoke billowing from an inspection cover on Kingsway, with firefighters having roped off the area.
Shortly after 3pm, LFB said: "Around 2,000 people evacuated from buildings near cable fire on #kingsway. Crews waiting for power to be switched off."
On Twitter, members of the public reported chaotic scenes as people poured on to the street and power cuts hit office buildings.
James Macfadzean tweeted: "Fire burning so quickly - whole area engulfed."
Jordan Hatch wrote: "Holborn is chaos. All the manholes on Kingsway are smoking."
Around 2,000 people have been evacuated (Picture: Amanda Esteban)Anne Bergeron said: "It's chaos on Kingsway Holborn, hope no one hurt."
Jenni Graham posted: "Fire at offices on Kingsway near Holborn in central London. Power cuts at nearby buildings. Several fire trucks."
(Picture: London Fire Brigade/@LondonFire)Local road closures are in place a motorists are being urged to avoid the area.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/londo...-10149262.html
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