Firefighters evacuated five people from an East London pub after a burst water main flooded the area, affecting up to 650 households. The incident occurred on Old Ford Road in Bow at around 10:30 pm on Wednesday, July 8.
Emergency Response and Evacuation
Crews from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded to the Lord Morpeth pub, where five individuals were assisted to safety. Water reached a depth of 1 meter in some areas, submerging cars and causing significant disruption. The brigade worked alongside Thames Water and Tower Hamlets Council to establish a rest centre for affected residents.
Impact on Local Households
Up to 650 households experienced loss of power, water, or gas overnight. Thames Water reported a second burst pipe on Grove Road, compounding the issue. Firefighters deployed sandbags and flood barriers to divert water away from homes throughout the night.
Thames Water Statement
Thames Water issued an apology on its website, stating: "We're sorry to customers in the Grove Road & Old Ford Road area who have been affected by a burst water main overnight. Our teams on site have stopped the flooding and are working to put things right. Your water supply should now have returned; the pressure may be lower than normal, but this will improve as it builds in the pipe."
The utility company added: "Unfortunately, we're likely to be in the area for some time as we need to fix the broken pipe and make good any damage caused by the flooding. We'll be working around the clock to fix things, and apologise in advance for any disruption caused. To keep everyone safe, we've had to close the road and parts of the footpath. If you're travelling in the area, please allow additional time for any journey as traffic diversions are in place."
Ongoing Repairs and Support
A Thames Water spokesperson further commented: "We're sorry to customers in the Grove Road and Old Ford Road area affected by a burst water main overnight. Our engineers have stopped the flooding, and water supplies have now returned. Some customers may continue to experience lower water pressure while the network recovers. Our customer teams will also be in the area to support those affected by the flooding. Our engineers will work as quickly as possible to repair the damaged pipe and address any damage caused by the flooding."
The next update from authorities is expected on the evening of July 9. Residents are advised to check for traffic diversions and allow extra travel time.
