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Kingsway fire was not deliberate, say investigators Kingsway fire was not deliberate, say investigators
(35 minutes later)
An underground fire which left thousands of people without power and caused travel disruption in central London was caused by an electrical fault, according to the fire brigade.An underground fire which left thousands of people without power and caused travel disruption in central London was caused by an electrical fault, according to the fire brigade.
Scores of firefighters tackled the blaze on Kingsway, Holborn, last week, dealing with dramatic scenes of pavements “exploding”.Scores of firefighters tackled the blaze on Kingsway, Holborn, last week, dealing with dramatic scenes of pavements “exploding”.
The London fire brigade said its initial assessment showed the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the Victorian tunnels running below ground, damaging an eight-inch gas main which ruptured and fuelled the flames. The London fire brigade said its initial assessment showed the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the Victorian tunnels running below ground, damaging an 8in gas main which ruptured and fuelled the flames.
Investigators found the 10ft-deep tunnel was well-maintained and there was no sign of deliberate fire setting. Investigators found the 10ft-deep tunnel was well-maintained and there was no sign the fire being deliberately set.
The findings are at odds with an interview given by John O’Connor, former head of Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad, who claimed the fire could have been started deliberately by criminals who raided security vaults at Hatton Garden. The Metropolitan police said there was nothing in the investigation so far to suggest a link with the raid. The findings are at odds with an interview given by John O’Connor, former head of Scotland Yard’s flying squad, who claimed the fire could have been started deliberately by criminals who raided security vaults in Hatton Garden. The Metropolitan police said there was nothing in the investigation so far to suggest a link with the raid.
The London fire commissioner, Ron Dobson, said: “This technically difficult fire shows just how complex London can be and how unseen risks underneath the capital can significantly affect businesses, residents and the day to day running of parts of the capital. Thankfully large underground fires like this one, which have such a wide impact, are very rare and seldom cause injuries.The London fire commissioner, Ron Dobson, said: “This technically difficult fire shows just how complex London can be and how unseen risks underneath the capital can significantly affect businesses, residents and the day to day running of parts of the capital. Thankfully large underground fires like this one, which have such a wide impact, are very rare and seldom cause injuries.
“We discussed a number of plans which included using high-expansion foam but, as there was no compartmentation in the tunnels, there was no way of knowing where the foam would go and what structural damage it may have caused.“We discussed a number of plans which included using high-expansion foam but, as there was no compartmentation in the tunnels, there was no way of knowing where the foam would go and what structural damage it may have caused.
“As the gas leak was fuelling the fire it was much safer to contain it while the escaping gas was burning off. If the fire had been put out before it was isolated it could have resulted in a buildup of gas over a wide area leading to possible explosions.“As the gas leak was fuelling the fire it was much safer to contain it while the escaping gas was burning off. If the fire had been put out before it was isolated it could have resulted in a buildup of gas over a wide area leading to possible explosions.
“An example is your gas hob at home, turn the gas on and light the ring and it is perfectly safe as long as you monitor it, but put the fire out and leave the gas running and it could result in your house blowing up.”“An example is your gas hob at home, turn the gas on and light the ring and it is perfectly safe as long as you monitor it, but put the fire out and leave the gas running and it could result in your house blowing up.”