A large fire has broken out at an electrical substation in north west London, sending heavy smoke billowing over the capital.
Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to the scene at Victoria Passage, Aberdeen Place, St John’s Wood, at 5.29am today.
Locals have been told to keep their doors and windows closed, with 80 people having been evacuated from a nearby block of flats.
The blaze has sent a large plume of smoke into the sky as firefighters confirm an electrical transformer is alight. Part of the roof of a neighbouring residential block was also alight but this is now under control.
Video footage shows a group of firefighters watching the fire rip through the substation, as worried residents wait outside their homes.
In an update this afternoon, the LFB has said firefighters are continuing to work to extinguish the fire and will be on the scene throughout the day.
The cause of the fire is now being investigated by London Fire Brigade alongside Metropolitan Police and UK Power Networks.
The LFB has confirmed one if its scientific advisors is also monitoring the air quality in the area. No injuries have been reported.
For the latest updates, follow our live blog here.
Firefighters at the scene of the fire in St John’s Wood this afternoon (Getty Images)
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “This was a very visible fire with Control Officers taking over 170 calls. The fire has also been producing a lot of smoke and we continue to advise residents to keep their windows and doors closed at this time. One of our scientific advisors is on site and is closely monitoring the air quality in the area.
“Due to the fire involving a high-profile piece of infrastructure that was affecting nearby residential buildings, a major incident was declared by London Fire Brigade at 08.26. I am pleased to report that this declaration was stood down at 10.53.
“However, firefighting operations will continue for some time on the transformer at the substation.
“To combat this technically complex fire, crews have been deploying foam to suppress the flames. The foam works by smothering the fire and cutting off its fuel source, preventing reignition.”
The electrical substation smouldering this afternoon (LFB)
Station Commander Paul Morgan, who is at the scene, previously said: “This is a very visible fire and there is lots of smoke. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut.”
Concerned residents have been pictured in the pyjamas and nightgowns as they wait in the street near to the location of the blaze. They left their homes early this morning.
Dionne Braniff, who was one of the first resident’s to be woken up by the blaze at 6.30am, told The Standard: “I just started running around, knocking on all the doors, saying ‘fire!’ to everyone to get everyone out because no one else was here yet.
“Some people were still in bed and didn’t hear it.
Thick black smoke can be seen billowing into the sky near Aberdeen Place in St John’s Wood (David Ellis)
“The firemen then started to filter in. We started gathering everyone outside — and we have a lot of older people here — and people didn’t really know what was going on.
“The smoke was bellowing and it was crazy. You could feel the heat of the flame coming through and the wind was grabbing it.”
Ms Braniff, a resident of Aberdeen Place for over 20 years, said she had never witnessed anything of this scale occur on the street before.
“You could feel the heat from the flames and we could see that the roof opposite of Wharncliffe Gardens was alight,” she added.
“They said it could be six or seven hours before that side can go back in. They’re trying to set up a community centre or something, but it can’t be too far as we have a lot of elderly people here.
“All of the Kenneth Campbell block has been evacuated.”
Aberdeen Place is located not far from Regent’s Park, Lord’s Cricket Ground and Paddington Station.
One of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders is being used at the scene to tackle the fire from above, the LFB added.
The Brigade’s drone team is also in attendance helping to provide the Incident Commander with a with a greater situational awareness of the incident.
A firefighter wears a respirator as emergency services continue to tackle the blaze (Getty Images)
Another resident said: “I could hear some commotion and there was banging on the door. I went downstairs thinking ‘what’s that?’ but I think by that time, after 7am, we had a fire brigade unit here and they were banging on the doors telling us to get out.
“I didn’t just run out because I had just woken up, but when I got outside, I was horrified and a bit stunned. I didn’t know whether it was going to blow. I knew it was the substation.”
The resident believes there needs to be a health and safety or evacuation plan in place for residents living near the substation.
“We’re a very close community, most people know one another. We know who the vulnerable neighbours are and you’ve got people making cups of tea and coffee and helping,” they added.
“Everyone has pitched in which is good. They (fire brigade) have done a sterling job.”
Emergency services at the scene of a fire at an electrical substation in St John’s Wood, west London. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
Power supplies have not been interrupted, UK Power Networks confirmed, as teams remain on the scene alongside London Fire Brigade.
A spokesperson for UK Power Networks said: “UK Power Networks was called to a fire at a substation in St John’s Wood, early this morning (29 April).
“This has not interrupted power supplies. Our teams are working with the fire service to make the equipment safe.
“This is an isolated incident and customers’ supplies were not impacted.”
Worried residents leave their homes (Jeremy Selwyn)
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade previously said: “Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters are tackling a fire at an electrical substation on Victoria Passage, Aberdeen Place near Paddington NW8.
“The Brigade’s 999 Control officers have received over 170 calls alerting them to the blaze.
“The Brigade was called at 05.29 and is still on scene. Fire crews from Paddington and Euston and surrounding fire stations are in attendance. One of the Brigade’s turntable ladders and a bulk foam unit are being used at the incident.
Black smoke fills in the air near St John’s Wood (Jeremy Selwyn)
“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.”
A Met Police spokesperson said: “At 05:42hrs on Tuesday, 29 April we were alerted by the London Fire Brigade to a fire at an electricity substation in Victoria Passage, Maida Vale.
“Officers responded to support the emergency response which has required a number of nearby buildings to be evacuated.
Fire in a west London sub power station at Victoria Passage this morning (Jeremy Selwyn)
“We remain on the scene in support of the London Fire Brigade working alongside partners including the local authority.
“At an appropriate point, firefighters will be able to give an initial view of the potential cause, but for now the priority of all those involved in the response is tackling the fire and ensuring the safety of people in the surrounding area.
“We would echo the London Fire Brigade advice which is to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed.”
This is a developing story, more to follow.
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