Smoke Billows From Holborn Underground Station

A fire broke out in central London on Wednesday, April 1, forcing the closure of the Holborn underground station and the evacuation of more than 2,000 people from nearby office buildings, according to reports. Six fire engines and 35 firefighters responded to what the London Fire Brigade described as an “electrical fire.”

The Independent newspaper reported that power cables had started the fire under the pavement in Holborn and that the current had to be turned off before firefighters could work to put it out.

The video shows the smoke rising from a vent on the street while emergency services clear the street of pedestrians. Credit: Instagram/jmanchipp