'Lights started flickering': Old Bailey evacuated after reports of fire

The Old Bailey was evacuated on Wednesday morning (February 7) - with firefighters at the scene.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called to the fire at an electrical substation near the Central Criminal Court.

Proceedings in the court were suspended and the buildings were evacuated

LFB said in a statement: "Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters responded to an incident involving an electrical substation on Warwick Lane, near the rear of the Old Bailey.

"Firefighters worked with UK Power Networks to make the scene safe and bring the fire under control. The ground floor substation was partly damaged in the incident. Around 1,500 people were evacuated from the Old Bailey and surrounding area, and there are no reports of any injuries.

"The brigade received the first of six calls reporting the incident at 10.44am, and crews had the fire under control by 2.07pm. Firefighters from Dowgate, Soho and Dockhead Fire Station attended the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation."

Kate, a member of the public, told LondonWorld: "We went to go in but the lights started flickering. We heard an alarm go off and we were told to evacuate the building. Apparently there is a fire in the electrical building."

The brigade asked people to avoid the area while crew respond.

Video footage online shows black smoke rising by the ground floor of the building.