Overview
- The London Fire Brigade received the first call at 1:31pm on Sunday and deployed crews from Soho, Euston, Bethnal Green and Dowgate to Stacey Street near Shaftesbury Avenue.
- About 40 people were evacuated from nearby homes and a rest centre was opened to support displaced residents.
- Crews are working with partner agencies to isolate a ruptured gas main, with three fire engines and two command units at the scene.
- A 50-metre cordon and road closures remain in place and are expected to last into the morning, with the LFB advising people to avoid the area.
- Officials say full safety checks and utility work are needed before residents can return, and the closures are causing local disruption to shops, theatres and transport in the West End.