This evening, residents of North London claim to have heard a tremendous “explosion” (Monday, November 28). Smoke could be seen rising. The bang’s origin is thought to be on Belfast Road in Hackney. The majority of people said it was in and around Stoke Newington, Hackney but other people taking to social media also said they heard it in Camden and Stratford. Fire crews and Police officers spent half an hour looking for signs of an explosion but nothing has been found. A spokesperson for the Met Police stated: “This evening, there have been several calls about loud bangs in the Stoke Newington neighbourhood.” Significant occurrences have not been reported to us. Thunder and lightning seem to be what made the noise.” The London Fire Brigade also reported not finding any fires. A spokesperson said: “Firefighters carried out an extensive search of the local area after reports of an explosion on Belfast Road in Hackney. They found no fire. LightningMaps.org reports that several lightning strikes took place back-to-back across Camden, Stoke Newington, Hampstead, and Stamford Hill.