A massive blaze has erupted in an underground utilities tunnel on Theobalds Road, Holborn, sparking chaos in central London this morning. Fire crews are battling the fierce fire as emergency services rush to the scene.
70 Firefighters Scramble to Tunnel Inferno
London Fire Brigade has deployed ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters from stations including Soho, Euston, Shoreditch, Islington, and Lambeth. The fire broke out shortly after 10am near the entrance of Holborn Underground station. So far, the cause remains unknown.
“Crews are currently dealing with a fire affecting the electrical cables in an underground tunnel. This is likely to be a protracted incident,” said Station Commander Paul Morgan.
“The incident is causing significant disruption in central London, with multiple road closures and a safety cordon in place. Bus routes have been diverted and Londoners are advised to avoid the area where possible.”
Central London Gridlock: Roads Closed and Bus Routes Diverted
The fire has forced the closure of several roads around Holborn with a large safety cordon set up. Bus services are being rerouted, causing travel headaches during the busy morning rush.
Commuters have taken to social media to report the disruption. One Twitter user noted, “Fire in Holborn, London coming from underneath,” while another warned of a “serious fire going on in Holborn right now.”
Power Trips and Past Panic: Holborn’s Fiery History
Several office workers also reported power cuts, with one saying, “Can confirm, power just tripped about eight times in a row at my office in Holborn.”
This is not the first time Holborn has been hit by an underground blaze. Back in 2015, a similar electrical fire under the pavement led to around 5,000 evacuations and cancelled West End shows.
Emergency officials continue to monitor the scene as firefighters battle the underground inferno.
