Hundreds of others saw the smoke cross the skyline when an electrical substation in Aberdeen Place burst into flames around 5.30am today (April 29).
Current view of the London fire pic.twitter.com/5PX5QOYAOi
— Logan Naidu (@logan6152) April 29, 2025
100 firefighters fought the flames with 15 fire engines as the fire spread to part of a roof and flat of a neighbouring housing block.
A huge amount of smoke was visible across London with over 170 calls being made by concerned Londoners.
Firefighting operations are ongoing at the fire in #MaidaVale.
The Brigade’s Scientific Advisors are monitoring the air quality in the local area as crews respond.
Find out more information https://t.co/PRUGtGqgNI pic.twitter.com/b4yMjCeSxw
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 29, 2025
Residents are being told to keep windows and doors closed as the scene continues to smoulder, with firefighters expected to keep working through the day.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: “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 0826.
London – nasty looking fire north of Marylebone this morning pic.twitter.com/w8ZQjEY7Kw
— Paul Beaver @ Beaver Westminster (@BeaverWestminst) April 29, 2025
“I am pleased to report that this declaration was stood down at 1053.
“However, firefighting operations will continue for some time on the transformer at the substation.
From one block away ~ 0745 pic.twitter.com/uR5NABYbrl
— David Rhodes (@davidgrayrhodes) April 29, 2025
“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.”
It is the second recent substation fire with Heathrow Airport being shut down by a similar blaze at a substation in Hayes that cut off the electricity supply.
Bless the brave London brigade firemen for putting out this rapidly raging fire at London Electric plant 🙏 pic.twitter.com/u6c05p3jJZ
— Shirin Valipour (@ShirinValipour) April 29, 2025
The electricity supply has been unaffected by the Maida Vale fire according to UK Power Networks.
Station Commander Paul Morgan is at the scene. He said: “This is a very visible fire and producing lots of smoke.
“Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut and avoid the area where possible.
“One of our scientific advisors are monitoring the air quality in the area.”
The Brigade is working closely with UK Power Networks and the Metropolitan Police to investigate the cause of the fire.
