Hackney Pavement Fire Sees Smoke Billow From Manholes Outside Town Hall

There were at least two loud bangs.

This is the dramatic moment smoke began billowing from manholes after at least two explosions took place underneath an east London street.

According to the Evening Standard, eyewitnesses heard two loud bangs near Hackney Town Hall on Monday morning.

There were no injuries reported.

Mare Street, outside Hackney Town Hall is cordoned off. Apparently there has been an electrical explosion #Hackney pic.twitter.com/xW6yNEPUwm

— Chris Paouros (@chrispaouros) October 3, 2016

Hackney pavement explosion due to overloaded electricity lines underground. Interesting commute to work pic.twitter.com/eYhQMUtuhM

— MyLocalNerd (@MyLocalNerd) October 3, 2016

It is believed that the fire was started by an electrical issue.

Although the road was closed by emergency services, Hackney Council tweeted that it was business as usual.

Mare St nr Town Hall, cinema, HLT & Libr closed due to electr explosion. Biz as usual at Council. No need to panic but please avoid area.

— Hackney Council (@hackneycouncil) October 3, 2016

A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said: “Firefighters were called to reports of a fire and explosion under the pavement on Mare Street in Hackney.

“It is believed that an electrical intake box under the pavement caught fire. Mare Street was closed in both directions from Morning Lane to Paragon Road.

“Firefighters also set up a 25 metre safety cordon while crews worked with colleagues from UK Power Network. There were no reports of any injuries.

“One fire engine and five firefighters and officers from Homerton fire station are at the scene.

“The Brigade was called at 9.33am and the incident was over for the Brigade at 2.27pm. The cause is not known at this stage.”

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