Major water leak floods street in Kilburn as residents evacuated

Firefighters had to lay down sandbags as to protect homes after a water main burst and flooded streets in north London on Thursday morning.

Emergency services were called to Willesden Lane, Kilburn at 4.46am.

London Fire Brigade said the flooding affected several properties on nearby Cavendish Road and Mapesbury Road.

Four residents were evacuated as two homes flooded with a metre of water.

Photos show muddy water reaching the door of flats and flowing rapidly down the street as fire crews attempt to stop the deluge with makeshift wooden barricades and sandbags.

Thames Water said engineers turned off the water flow about 6am. However, they were also dealing with another burst main nearby.

Water pressure should remain unaffected for customers, a spokesman added.

Thames Water are also dealing with a burst water main in Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich.

A spokesman added: “We’re sorry for the disruption these bursts have caused this morning and we’re working hard to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.”

The scenes in north and south London were in stark contrast to millions in the rest of London and the South East facing hosepipe bans as months of dry conditions push the country towards drought.

Amid the heatwave that will see temperature in the capital stay high this weekend and hit 29C next week, official figures show last month was the UK’s driest July on record since 1935.

South East Water used by 2.2million customers became the second water company to restrict use of hosepipes and sprinklers, announcing a ban within Kent and Sussex from Friday August 12 until further notice.

This will mean hosepipes cannot be used to water gardens or clean cars, and ornamental ponds and swimming pools must not be filled.

They urged neighbours to report those breaking the rules which could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Southern Water announced the first hosepipe ban of the year last week on Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from this Friday.

Thames Water, serving 15million customers across London and the Thames Valley, has hinted it could also bring in a hosepipe ban this summer.

The firm said in a statement last week: “If we do not receive around or above average rainfall in the coming months, this will increase pressure on our resources and may, indeed, result in the need for more water saving measures including restrictions.”

LFB said: “Firefighters were called to flooding caused by a burst water main on Cavendish Road in Kilburn this morning.

“Two properties were affected with flood water to a depth of around a metre. Four residents were evacuated. There were no reports of any injuries.

“Willesden Lane and Cavendish Road were also affected by flood water. Firefighters worked to divert water away from the properties.

“The Brigade was called at 4.46am and the incident was over for firefighters by 7.48am. Two fire engines from West Hampstead and Willesden fire stations and a fire rescue unit from Euston Fire Station were at the scene.”