Sanna Daw, who lives near Northwick Terrace, was woken by a neighbour at around 6.30am this morning (Tuesday) after fire broke out in an electrical substation nearby.
The 59-year-old chartered accountant took pictures from the roof of her building, then went down to nearby Aberdeen Place where police had put up a cordon.
Describing one hair-raising moment, she said: “You could see the sun rising through the flames, it was quite spectacular.
“The flames getting bigger and bigger and plumes of smoke were going across to the blocks when suddenly it went BOURRRRGH. You know in films when the flames go boom and everyone runs, chased by a fireball? It was like that.
“They moved the cordon and us to the corner of Northwick Terrace because it was getting dangerous. And it was dangerous, I was wearing my highly flammable pyjamas.”
Remy Dimazar, who lives nearby and runs DI Coffee in Aberdeen Place, said he saw smoke as he went to open the cafe, and found himself serving drinks to thirsty firefighters.
But he said the fumes stopped him fully opening, adding: “The smoke was too strong, it was quite bad. We kept the door closed.”
Around 100 people, including the elderly and vulnerable, were evacuated from their homes and taken to the Wharncliffe Gardens Community Centre.
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “This was a very visible fire with control officers taking over 170 calls.
“The fire has also been producing a lot of smoke, and although the amount of smoke has significantly reduced, we continue to advise residents to keep their windows and doors closed.
“One of our scientific advisers is on site and is closely monitoring the air quality in the area.
“Around 100 residents were evacuated from their homes but some have now returned.
Assistant Commissioner Goulbourne added: “Due to the fire involving a high-profile piece of infrastructure that was affecting nearby residential buildings, a major incident was declared by London Fire Brigade at 8.26am.
“I am pleased to report that this declaration was stood down at 10.53am.
“However, firefighting operations will continue for some time on the transformer at the substation.”
The assistant commissioner described how crews had used a hydraulic platform and drone to help tackle the fire, which also damaged the roof of nearby flats.
He added: “To combat this technically complex fire, crews have been deploying foam to suppress the flames.
“The foam works by smothering the fire and cutting off its fuel source, preventing reignition.”
Steve Pennington, from Westminster City Council’s Welfare Response Team, said teams were helping those affected.
“We have residents that have been displaced and we are trying to help them as best we can,” he said.
“We have had a number of residents, some of them elderly, some of them requiring assistance from the local authorities.
“We are here but there’s a lot to do.”
