Chaos in central London as huge fire triggers mass evacuation

Thousands of office workers and commuters faced chaos this afternoon as firefighters tackled an cable fire beneath pavements in central London.

Flames could seen leaping from a manhole as parts of Holborn were shrouded in thick black smoke.

More than 70 firefighters are trying to stop the blaze spreading while engineers from the utility companies identify the source.

Kingsway and the Strand underpass were closed, causing gridlock in the West End and around Waterloo.

Holborn Underground station was shut because of a power failure. Ten bus routes were being diverted.

London Fire Brigade said two thousand officer workers were affected by the mass evacuation.

London Ambulance Service said it was on standby but there were no reports of any injuries.