Flames burst from pavement on Lady Margaret Road in Southall
Residents hurried to move parked cars away from the fire late on Saturday night, and fire crews were called to the street. The cause has not been officially confirmed.
Residents on Lady Margaret Road in Southall rushed to move their cars late on Saturday 24 October after flames burst out of the pavement beside homes.
The fire started at about 11pm on a stretch of pavement next to front gardens and driveways. London Fire Brigade crews arrived on blue lights shortly afterwards.
Footage shared with UB1UB2 shows bright flames and thick smoke coming up from the footway, with a figure outlined against the fire and smoke drifting across the road under the street lights. People can be heard shouting at a driver to move a car, and one vehicle reversed away from the flames just in time.
Cause not yet confirmed
Some people at the scene thought a gas pipe or an underground electricity cable might have caused the fire. Neither London Fire Brigade nor the utility companies have publicly confirmed the cause.
No injuries have been reported. It is not known whether any homes lost power or gas, or whether any repair work was carried out on the pavement afterwards.
Lady Margaret Road is a busy residential street running north from The Broadway, Southall's main shopping street. Homes line both sides, many with cars parked on driveways or at the kerb. Part of the road falls within Ealing Council's controlled parking zone L.
What to do if you see a fire or smell gas
Underground fires can start when electricity cables beneath pavements fail. Smoke, flames or sparks may then come up through the ground or from inspection covers. Gas leaks are a separate danger and can catch fire.
If you see smoke or flames coming from the ground, keep well back, keep other people away and call 999. Do not try to put the fire out yourself, and do not go near or lift any metal covers.
If you smell gas, outdoors or indoors, call the National Gas Emergency Service free on 0800 111 999. The line is open 24 hours a day. Do not use naked flames or operate electrical switches near the smell.
To report a power cut or damaged electricity equipment, call 105 free from any phone. The call goes through to your local electricity network operator.
The street has had a fire before. A fire on Lady Margaret Road in May 2024 also drew attention locally, but the circumstances of that incident were not officially detailed.