Engineers have warned it could take them days to fix a burst pipe in Islington after dozens of people had to be evacuated following flooding.
Islington residents are facing low water pressure on one of the hottest days of the year after the huge leak left some areas under around 44cm of water on Monday morning.
About 30 people were evacuated from their homes around Canonbury Street, with 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters responding to the flooding.
Several homes were left damaged and Thames Water said loss adjustors remain at Cedar Court on Essex Road to help anyone affected.
The water company said it is preparing for a “large and complex repair” replacing a 4.5m section of pipe.
It explained works are expected to continue throughout the weekend due to the size of the repair.
Engineers will work through the night over the coming days to try and replace the pipe.
Thames Water said that water should be flowing through neighbours' taps again but some homes may still have low water pressure.
Hackney Council also warned that some homes in the borough near the burst pipe may be affected.
Sandbags and flood barriers were put in place by crews to divert water away from homes on Monday.
Neighbours were forced to use towels to try and stop water from entering a neighbour’s flat.
Ten fire engines & around 70 firefighters are dealing with significant flooding around Canonbury Street in #Islington
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) August 10, 2025
This will be a protracted incident, with disruption continuing into the morning
Please avoid the area & don't drive through flood water https://t.co/jAreMmPQfW pic.twitter.com/pdypDMWElG
Resident Ben Esdale told the BBC he knew something was wrong when he saw water “gurgling” up through his bath plughole.
He looked out over the balcony of his first-floor flat to see a “little geyser in the middle of the road shooting water up into the air.”
Residents then grouped together to help a ground floor neighbour stop water from entering his home.
"There were about five of us on towel duty because water was coming into his living room,” Mr Esdale said.
"We were just piling the towels down and then on rotation, we were running into the bathroom, ringing them out, bringing them back, ringing them out. We had mops, every cloth, because it was just coming in."
Mr Esdale said the cars on the road were under a foot of water, while some areas have now been covered in a layer of dirt.
Emergency services received more than 23 calls about the incident shortly after 10pm on Sunday night, the brigade said.
Fire crews from Islington, Holloway, Stoke Newington and Euston were at the scene alongside representatives from Thames Water, Islington Council and the Metropolitan Police.
A spokesperson for the LFB said on Sunday night: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are dealing with flooding in the area around Canonbury Street in Islington.
“A 36-inch burst water main has caused flooding up to a depth of around 40cm of water. This has affected properties on Canonbury Street, Essex Road, Elmore Street, Halliford Street and Ecclesbourne Road.
“Around 30 residents have been evacuated from their homes as crews work alongside Thames Water, the local council, and the Metropolitan Police Service to support affected people and make the scene safe.
“This is expected to be a protracted incident, with disruption likely to continue into the morning. The public are being urged to avoid the area and not to attempt to drive through flood water.”
A spokesperson for Thames Water previously said: “We’re aware of a burst water main on Essex Road – Canonbury Street, N1, and our engineers are already on site investigating.”
Residents who were asked to leave their homes have been supported by the local authority.
A spokesperson for Islington Council added: "We are working closely with Thames Water and the London Fire Brigade to resolve the situation, clean up the area and assess the damage.
"Canonbury Street remains closed from Essex Road up to Arran Walk. We ask the public to avoid the area while we carry out essential work."
