London underground fire: fallout continues

Places around an underground fire that blazed for more than 24 hours are still unlikely to be fully open for business almost a week on.

Photo taken from the Twitter feed of @LondonFire of firefighters attending the scene of the fire which began under the pavement on Kingsway in Holborn, London. Image by London Fire Brigade/PA Wire

Some 2,000 people were evacuated on Wednesday when police declared a major incident in Kingsway in Holborn, central London, after a blaze started in a service tunnel beneath the major road.

Witnesses said the fire caused ”pavements to explode” as nearby roads were closed off and thousands of properties lost power, forcing West End shows to cancel their performances.

The Metropolitan Police said they have been made aware by partner agencies that some areas around Kingsway affected by the fire are “unlikely to be fully opened for business after the Bank Holiday weekend”.

The force said closures will continue to affect the running of public transport services in the area and added that people are advised to make alternative arrangements, as well as checking Transport for London updates.

Road users are advised to avoid the affected areas, while residents and businesses should monitor Camden and Westminster Councils’ websites for updates.

A spokesman for Camden Council said traffic may not be able to use the road until Wednesday, adding that this would pose delivery problems for businesses.

He said there was talk of putting in place an escorted delivery system for the time being.

(Press Association)