Major gas main rupture forces closure of Waterloo Road and evacuates hundreds
An 18-inch gas pipe burst on Waterloo Road, prompting a shutdown of the street and the evacuation of around 600 people.
Around 2.20 p.m. on Monday, an 18-inch gas main broke in the roadway on The Cut, forcing firefighters from Dowgate, Lambeth and Euston stations to shut down a large stretch of Waterloo Road. The closure covered the segment between The Cut and Baylis Road to the north and Gray Street to the south, including the Old Vic Theatre. A safety cordon was established, leading to the evacuation of approximately 400 office employees and 200 individuals associated with the theatre.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed the emergency was resolved by about 8 p.m., yet Transport for London said the road would remain closed the next day. Motorists and pedestrians were advised to avoid the area, and bus routes 1, 68, 172, 176, 188, BL1, C10 and SL6 were rerouted. SGN, the regional gas network operator, is carrying out emergency repairs to the damaged pipe.
Why it matters
The gas leak disrupts transport, business and cultural venues in central London, affecting commuters and public safety.
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