Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at an electrical substation in north-west London which has left some homes without power.
About 100 firefighters rushed to the scene near Aberdeen Place in St John’s Wood shortly before 5.30am on Tuesday.
Dramatic video footage shows flames ripping through the substation sending giant plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
Reports of power blackouts among local properties have started to emerge, although the scale of the impact on supplies is unclear.
Aberdeen Place is located not far from Regent’s Park, Lord’s Cricket Ground and Paddington Station.
Tuesday’s blaze comes just weeks after a massive fire erupted at an electricity substation in Hayes, west London, which forced Heathrow airport to shut for nearly a day.
Follow the latest updates below...
Key points
- Around 100 firefighters tackle huge blaze at London electrical substation
- Firefighters to remain on the scene throughout the day
- 'Power supplies have not been interrupted' - UK Power Supplies
- Cause of the fire is under investigation, LFB confirms
That's all from us today
16:09 , Daniel KeaneThank you for following our live coverage.
Pictured: The electrical substation fire smouldering this afternoon
14:10 , Megan Howe
Around 100 people have been evacuated
12:37 , Megan HoweThe LFB has confirmed around 100 residents have been evacuated from nearby surrounding buildings but some have returned.
A rest centre has been set up by the local authority for those unable to return to their homes.
Cause of the fire is under investigation, LFB confirms
12:32 , Megan HoweIn an update this afternoon, London Fire Brigade has confirmed the cause of the fire at an electrical substation in St John’s Wood, is now being investigated.
“The Brigade is working closely with UK Power Networks and the Metropolitan Police to investigate the cause of the fire,” a spokesperson said.
In pictures: Fire crews continue to tackle the blaze in St John's Wood
11:49 , Megan Howe
Resident 'horrified' at sheer size of the fire
11:38 , Megan HoweOne resident recalled: “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.”
'I just started running around shouting 'fire!'' resident recalls
11:13 , Megan HoweDionne 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.
“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.”
Air quality being monitored in the area
10:44 , Megan HoweA scientific advisor is monitoring the air quality in the area, the LFB has said.
It comes as an electrical transformer remains alight and firefighting operations are likely to continue throughout the day.
Video footage from the scene shows the extent of smoke coming from the blaze, which can be seen from miles away.
'Power supplies have not been interrupted' - UK Power Networks
10:04 , Megan HoweUK Power Networks has confirmed power supplies have not been interrupted, 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.”
Firefighters to remain on the scene throughout the day
09:39 , Megan HoweLondon Fire Brigade has confirmed the incident is ongoing and firefighters are expected to remain on scene throughout the day.
Police officers on the scene 'in support of London Fire Brigade'
09:26 , Megan HoweA 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.
“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.”
Reports of power outages - UK Power Networks
09:21 , Megan HoweUK Power Networks, which maintains electricity networks across London, is receiving reports from residents of a power outage.
A message on their website reads: “We are receiving reports from other customers about a power cut in your area.
“We are investigating reports of a power cut and more information will appear here shortly, so keep checking for updates.
“We are sorry for any disruption this may be causing you.”
The message covers the address for Aberdeen Place, NW8.
Fire causing a 'considerable amount of smoke'
09:17 , Megan HoweStation Commander Paul Morgan, who is at the scene, said: "This is a very visible fire and producing lots of smoke. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut and avoid the area where possible."
Around 100 firefighters tackle huge blaze at London electrical substation
09:14 , Megan HoweFifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters were called to the scene at Victoria Passage, Aberdeen Place, St John’s Wood, at 5.29am today, following reports of a fire.
Locals have been told to keep their doors and windows closed, with 80 people having been evacuated from a nearby block of flats.
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: An electrical transformer is alight. Part of the roof of a neighbouring residential building is also alight.
“One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders is being used at the scene to tackle the fire from above.
“The Brigade's 999 Control officers have received over 170 calls alerting them to the blaze.
“The Brigade was called at 0529 and is still on scene. Fire crews from Paddington and Euston and surrounding fire stations are in attendance.”
