Residents have been evacuated from their homes after a burst water main flooded a London street.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to Belsize Road in Camden at 2.50am on Saturday after a 42in burst of water, which caused flooding to a depth of half a meter in an area of approximately 800 meters.
Fire officials said several homes were flooded and firefighters had to bring about 20 residents to safety.
Cody Dolcy-Grant lives in Hilgrove Road, at the end of Belsize Road, and said he woke up to scenes “like the River Thames” outside his home.
“I wasn’t aware of the situation until 7am when I went to the toilet, I noticed the toilet wasn’t working and there was no water coming out of the taps,” the 27-year-old, who is unemployed in due to a health condition, he told the PA news agency.
“My road was flooded…when I opened the front door it was like a scene of horror, firemen all over my road, police, ambulance, and then I looked to my left and outside like the river Thames” .
Ms Dolcy-Grant lives on the second floor of her building, so her home was not flooded, but by midday on Saturday she said she still had no running water, all shops were closed and transport had stopped in his street.
Images shared on social media show emergency services using small boats and helping residents wrapped in blankets to safety.
LFB Assistant Deputy Commissioner Andy Williams said from the scene: “There are significant road closures and we are asking people to avoid the area where possible.
“The water authority is working to isolate the water main and firefighters are expected to remain at the scene for several hours.
“Crews are using flood barriers and a high volume pumping unit to divert floodwater.
“A respite center has been set up for affected residents at the Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre.”
Thames Water said local homes in north-west London, in the postcodes of NW2, NW6, NW8 and NW10, could be experiencing low or no water pressure as a result of the main burst.
The company said in a statement: “We are working with local emergency services to ensure the safety of all residents as a priority, while our engineers continue to close pipeline valves in the surrounding area.
“If your home has been flooded we are very sorry, we know this must be very distressing.
“Our support crews are on their way to help customers experiencing low pressure or no water.”
