Hundred firefighters tackle huge blaze at London electrical substation after 'explosion' – with smoke visible for miles
29 April 2025, 08:14 | Updated: 29 April 2025, 12:01
A huge blaze has erupted at an electrical substation in London, with smoke seen for miles.
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Fifteen fire engines and 100 firefighters are at the scene in Aberdeen Place in Maida Vale after being called at 5.29am.
Plumes of smoke can be seen billowing across north-west London as efforts continue to tame the flames.
Part of the roof of a neighbouring residential building was also alight but is now under control.
Locals have been told to keep their windows and doors closed amid fears of air pollution, with 80 people having been evacuated from nearby flats.
The fire was caused by faulty equipment, the UK Power Network confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.
A spokesperson said: "The cause (of the fire) was a fault on a piece of equipment in our substation."
Hundred firefighters tackle huge blaze at London electrical substation after 'explosion' – with smoke visible for miles
Speaking to LBC, witness Justin Haroun said he heard a lot of banging at around 6am and looked out the window to see that the electricity station was on fire.
He was originally told to stay in his home before being evacuated.
"It’s died down a lot now," he said. "It was really raging at one point and we were quite concerned about the impact on the housing, on the properties, but everyone got out safely."
He continued: "The fire brigade came but access to the actual substation building took a long time and that seems really problematic.
"Why they weren’t able to access the space where the fire was happening and get in there and tackle it."
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A statement from the London Fire Brigade said: "Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire at an electrical substation on Aberdeen Place in Maida Vale.
"An electrical transformer remains alight and firefighting operations are likely to continue throughout the day.
"Part of the roof of a neighbouring residential building was also alight but this is now under control.
"Around 80 people have been evacuated from a block of flats.One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders is being used at the scene to tackle the fire from above.
"The Brigade's 999 Control officers have received over 170 calls alerting them to the blaze."
Hundred firefighters tackle huge blaze at London electrical substation after 'explosion' – with smoke visible for miles
Station Commander Paul Morgan is at the scene, he said: "This is a very visible fire, which is producing lots of smoke. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut and avoid the area where possible.
"The Brigade was called at 0529 and is still on scene. Fire crews from Paddington and Euston and surrounding fire stations are in attendance.
"One of the Brigade's turntable ladders and a bulk foam unit are being used at the incident.
"The cause of the fire is not known at this stage."
