Mohammed Nur, who lives in a block of flats in Aberdeen Place close to where a St John’s Wood substation went up in flames, woke up just after 5.30 am and saw a fire outside his window.
But he says it was another two hours before there was a knock on the door from firefighters telling his family to evacuate.
The roof of a neighbouring block of flats was damaged by the fire, which at one point exploded in a fireball, with a plume of smoke visible from across London.
Mr Nur claimed fire crews did not put up a crane until 7am and that no foam or water had been used to douse the flames.
The father-of-three added: “There is a system, but why doesn’t the system work on time?
“If the fire started at 5am and there is no water, why not put foam?
“If they had put the crane up and put the water on time the houses would be saved.”
He added: “I’m feeling scared. I wake up and see the situation with my family and children. Why a flammable thing behind where residents live? If life goes, they can’t give life back.”
UK Power Network, which is responsible for the substation, confirmed the incident had been sparked by faulty equipment.
Thames Water was also called to the incident.
London Fire Brigade has been contacted about Mr Nur’s concerns.
