More than 2,000 people were evacuated from buildings in central London on April 1st, as toxic smoke filled the streets after an electrical fault triggered a massive underground fire near the Indian High Commission here as well as the London School of Economics (LSE).
The High Commission of India staff were under an automatic fire drill after the power supply in the area was cut off. A spokesperson said, "We are all in the basement as the fire alarms went off but the fire has not affected India House.”
Fire crews were called in after smoke was seen coming out of an inspection cover on a pavement off Kingsway in Holborn area.
Part of the LSE was cleared by the emergency services and the university was urging students to avoid the area.
People were seen pouring out of offices, restaurants, cafes and shops while roads were cordoned off by the emergency services.
Several buildings also suffered powercuts due to the blaze, forcing some companies to send staff home while the Holborn Tube station has been closed down for commuters after the Scotland Yard declared the fire as "major".
