Explosion Rocks Ladbroke Road After High-Voltage Cable Surge
Blast Injures Two After Underground Cable Rupture
Chaos erupted on Ladbroke Road at around 9pm on Tuesday, 20 May, when a powerful surge in a high-voltage underground cable caused a violent explosion. The blast blasted debris into the air and left a crater in the street. Two people caught in the shockwave were thrown backwards by the force.
One victim suffered burn injuries and was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service. The other was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and remains under treatment. Their conditions have not yet been disclosed.
Heroic Witnesses Rush to Aid Victims
Passersby and neighbours acted fast, providing immediate first aid before emergency crews arrived. One local resident said:
“It was traumatic for everyone involved. A huge thank you to the ambulance, fire and police services for their fast response, and also to our amazing friends and neighbours who acted immediately to help.”
Emergency Services Sweep In
Surrey Fire Brigade, police, and ambulance teams quickly cordoned off the area for safety. Power network engineers arrived to assess the damage and investigate the cause of the electrical surge that set off the explosion.
Investigation Underway – Residents Urged to Stay Clear
Authorities are working closely with engineers to pinpoint what sparked the malfunction. Residents have been warned to avoid the area as repair work continues.
Police have confirmed the explosion is not linked to any criminal activity and is being treated as an infrastructure accident.
