Westminster 'explosion': Chaos as flames and black smoke 'erupt' in city blast during rush hour

Black smoke and flames were seen coming from the sky in after a "erupted" at a substation during rush hour - with over 100 firefighters battling to put the blaze out.

15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been dispatched following a devastating fire at an electrical substation on Victoria Passage in Westminster, according to the London Fire Brigade. People are being urged to keep their windows and doors shut while crews are at the scene trying to put the fire out.

Eyewitnesses had spotted the huge blaze from Warwick Avenue as smoke bellowed across the capital.

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Station Commander Paul Morgan is at the scene, he said: "This is a very visible fire and there is lots of smoke. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut."

Fire crews from Paddington and Euston fire stations are in attendance. London Fire Brigade said on X:" We're on scene and extinguishing a fire at an electrical substation on Victoria Passage NW8 in Westminster. It's a very visible fire causing heavy smoke, which has prompted 41 calls to our 999 Control officers.

"Crews are continuing to extinguish a fire on Victoria Passage NW8 in Westminster. There's considerable smoke with 73 calls to the Brigade's 999 Control. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut."

The Brigade was called at 5.29am this morning and is still on the scene. People reported seeing the huge black smoke including one resident who posted on X: "Nasty looking fire north of Marylebone this morning."

Another eyewitness said: "Smoke from the Westminster substation fire in London seen rising behind Big Ben."

Westminister Council also urged people to keep their windows and doors shut, writing on X: "The London Fire Brigade are dealing with a fire at an electrical substation on Victoria Passage NW8 in Westminster. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut

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