LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (APRIL 1, 2015) (ITN) – Police declared a major incident in central London on Wednesday (April 1, 2015), after a fire broke out under the pavement of a main road.

More than 2,000 people were evacuated from Kingsway in Holborn as fire-fighters battled to bring the electrical blaze under control, which started amongst cables under the ground.

Fire crews were called after smoke was seen coming out of a man hole, which quickly enveloped nearby buildings.

A 25-metre safety cordon was put in place by emergency services.