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Police declare major incident over central London electrical fire

More than 2,000 people were evacuated from Kingsway in Holborn on Wednesday while firefighters tackled the electrical fire, which started among cables.

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Diversions remain in place in Holborn after electrical fire

Diversions are in place in Holborn due to an electrical fire on Wednesday.

Bus diversions are in place due to Kingsway remaining closed.

People are being told to check their routes before travelling.

More than 5,000 people were evecuated and police declared a major incident when the fire broke out earlier this week.

It was fully extinguished yesterday but numerous businesses have had to close their doors.

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Incredible pictures of Holborn power cut

Locals have been tweeting picture of a huge power cut caused by the fire in Holborn this afternoon - showing large swathes of the capital plunged into darkness.

Some residents have been told they may not get electricity back to their homes for the next two days.

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Residents still unable to return to homes in Holborn

Holborn residents have been telling ITV News tonight that they are unable to return to their homes after a huge underground fire.

Police are advising people to find somewhere else to stay for the night, as power could be out for the next two days.

The fire was caused by underground electrical cables which set alight. Engineers have been unable to get access to fix the power outages while the fire was still burning.

In the last hour London Fire Brigade have said the fire is under control but teams will remain there throughout the evening.

Fire crews 'trying to stop Holborn fire spreading'

Crews are currently working to prevent the spread of the fire to surrounding buildings.

We are working closely with the various electricity companies involved to identify the source and extent of the fire which is underground.

– Assistant Commissioner Peter Cowup, London Fire Brigade
Credit: Rachel Mairs

As this is likely to be an electrical fire we have to ensure the power is off before we apply water to extinguish it.

We are working with our partners and implementing well-rehearsed plans to prevent the fire from spreading and to protect surrounding properties.

– Assistant Commissioner Peter Cowup, London Fire Brigade

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Power supplies in Holborn 'have been interrupted'

Teams of UK Power Networks engineers are currently on site at an incident in Kingsway.

Power supplies in the area have been interrupted and as soon as we can gain access, we will work to restore electricity as quickly as is safely possible.

We will also help the emergency services investigate the cause.

– UK Power Network

Fire engines 'coming from every direction' in Holborn 'major incident'

Among those evacuated in the area were judges, lawyers and staff at the nearby Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand.

I was walking from Covent Garden towards Holborn and I could smell burning in the air. As I got closer I could see fire engines everywhere then I could see loads of thick, brown smoke rising off the road.

It's chaos and fire engines are coming from every direction and there are so many people around.

– Nicola Foxfield, eyewitness

'Police and firemen everywhere' during Holborn evacuation

Teacher Cath Davies said she had been in a cafe waiting for a friend when customers were asked to leave.

There are a lot of curious people wondering what's happened.

Kingsway is blocked off and there are police and firemen everywhere. From the end of the street you could see smoke pouring out.

It seemed to be coming from under a building

The area seems to be in darkness.

– Cath Davies

Eyewitnesses 'struggle to breath' amid chaos of Holborn fire

Among those evacuated in the area were judges, lawyers and staff at the nearby Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand.

Onlookers reported "struggling to breathe" and "chaos" in the area as those evacuated waited on the street and traffic began to build up.

Credit: Rachel Mairs

I had just cycled over Waterloo Bridge and as I approached Kingsway I saw a big crowd of people and smoke billowing towards me.

The fire crews and police officers were beginning to cordon off the area.

I was close enough to see thick black smoke puffing out of the drain grills and I struggled to breathe. Hundreds of people were leaving their buildings on Fleet Street and Kingsway.

– Eyewitness
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