Eyewitness reports shared that black, acrid smoke was seen pouring out of the rear of the Central Criminal Court caused by a fire in the neighbouring building.
Power cuts also affected the Old Bailey after the electrical substation on Warwick Lane was impacted.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) issued a statement on the incident: “Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters are responding to an incident involving an electrical substation on Warwick Lane, near the rear of the Old Bailey.
“Firefighters are working with UK Power Networks to make the scene safe and bring the fire under control.
“Around 1,500 people were evacuated from the Old Bailey and surrounding area, and there are currently no reports of any injuries. Traffic in the area is likely to be impacted as we respond.
Firefighters are working with @UKPowerNetworks to bring the substation fire on Warwick Lane under control.
Around 1500 people have been evacuated from the Old Bailey and immediate area as we respond.
More information https://t.co/fvgyvCRSDV pic.twitter.com/LTnvRcvruW
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) February 7, 2024
“The Brigade received the first of six calls reporting the incident at 1044. Firefighters from Dowgate, Soho and Dockhead Fire Station are at the scene.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known.”
Police issue statement over Old Bailey fire
Now, City of London Police Chief Inspector Tom Fisher from City of London Police has also issued a statement: “We were made aware of an incident at the Old Bailey at around 11am. Warwick Lane is currently closed and we are working with London Fire Brigade who are currently in attendance.
“There is no indication at this stage that this is anything other than an incident involving an electrical substation.”
UK Power Network, who supply the Old Bailey with power shared that they were working hard to restore supply, as a spokesperson said: “UK Power Networks engineers were called to Paternoster Square in London at 11.10am after a fire was reported which has affected power supplies.
“We will work to restore supplies as quickly as is safely possible.”
The incident at the Old Bailey comes as the trail of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon continues.
The couple are at the court after being accused of of gross negligence manslaughter, causing the death of a child, child cruelty, concealing the birth of a child and perverting the course of justice.
The couple’s baby Victoria was found dead in Brighton on March 1 last year.
It’s believed that the pair were taken back to prison as footage from ITV reporter Joe Coshan saw Gordon being placed in a van.
https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/24103920.old-bailey-1000-evacuated-amid-fire-outbreak/
