Thousands of residents have been left without water while dozens were evacuated from their homes on a dinghy after a burst water main flooded a London street today — with further pipe ruptures possible as the Big Thaw kicks in following freezing temperatures, experts warn.
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to Belsize Road in Camden at 2:50am this morning, the London Fire Brigade said, after a 42-inch water main burst causing flooding of half a metre across an area of around 800 metres.
The fire service said the main had been isolated this afternoon, but a further 15-inch water main had also burst and around 100 properties have been affected by floodwater, with one homeowner comparing it to having ‘the River Thames outside my house’.
It said multiple homes have been flooded and Kombi Servisi firefighters had to lead around 25 residents to safety, with several seen being guided away from the area with packed suitcases.
Emergency services on Belsize Road in Camden after a burst water main flooded the London street on Saturday morning
Emergency services rescue resident Stefano Calcagni and his dogs Batista and Pandora on Belsize Road in Camden after a burst water main flooded the London street on Saturday morning
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One video shows the fire brigade attending the scene while water gushes down the road, while other clips show residents being rescued on a dinghy — including one man and his two dogs.
As temperatures are expected to jump by 15 degrees or more across the UK after days of icy weather, Water UK have warned that the the rise could cause more burst pipe
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Thousands have been left without water and dozens were evacuated after a burst water main flooded Belsize Road in Camden at 2:50am this morning
Residents pack overnight suitcases as they abandon their road and are led away by emergency services following flooding caused by burst water mains in Camden
A resident in Belsize Road, Camden, waits to be rescued by a dinghy with his two pet dogs
A 42-inch water main burst, causing flooding to a depth of half a metre across an area of around 800 metres
The water caused flooding to a depth of half a metre across an area of around 800 metres
Two emergency service workers used a dinghy to ferry residents away from Belsize Road in Camden on Saturday morning
Roads were closed off in Camden, London on Saturday after a pipe burst led to flooding, with experts warning there may be more to come
A roundabout is almost submerged in Camden on Saturday after two water mains burst
Dozens of firefighters, around 60 in total, were called to scene in Belsize Road after mains burst on Saturday
A vintage car is partially submerged after a water mains burst in Belsize Road in Camden in the early hours of Saturday
At least half a metre of water filled the street in Camden, with an area of around 800 metres affected following the bursting of two water mains
A black cab is among the dozens of vehicles left immobile by the flooding in Camden on Saturday
Emergency workers carry a dinghy to a residential street in Camden to ferry affected residents to safety following flooding sparked by burst water mains
Emergency services rescue a resident on Belsize Road in Camden after a burst water main flooded the London street on Saturday morning
Emergency services wade their way through Belsize Road in Camden with a dinghy after a burst water main flooded the London street
Several fire engines can be seen at the top of Belsize Road in Camden on Saturday after it became flooded due to burst water mains
A car is partially submerged in Belsize Road in Camden following burst water mains on Saturday morning
‘Shift water rescue crews used boats to move around 20 people to upper floors of properties.
‘Three adults and a child were evacuated to a place of safe haven.
‘A number of residents have decided to remain in their properties and we’re patrolling the affected area to assist any further people who require assistance.’
Mr Deacon added: ‘The water authority are working to isolate the burst water main and firefighters are expected to remain at the scene throughout the afternoon.
‘A rest centre has been set up for affected residents at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre. If you cherished this short article and you would like to get additional information about Kombi Servisi kindly take a look at our webpage. ‘
Temperatures are expected to jump by 15 degrees or more across the UK after days of severely cold and icy weather.
The recent cold snap will be replaced with warmer temperatures due to milder air coming in from the Atlantic.
Daytime maximum temperatures across the UK on Monday will range from 11C to 14C — in stark contrast to the chilly temperatures recorded over the last week.
Peter Jenkins, director of campaigns at Water UK, advised that the rise in temperature could cause burst pipes.
He said: ‘The recent freezing weather has been very disruptive to many people.
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Emergency services came to rescue residents after the water main burst, leaving thousands without water
Emergency services used small boats and helped residents wrapped in blankets to safety
Around 25 people were evacuated to safety, some with pets, who also sat in the boats
Thames Water said local houses in north-west London in certain postcodes would be experiencing no or low water pressure as a result of the burst main
Station commander Gary Deacon said from the scene: ‘This is a significant flooding that has affected around 100 properties and left thousands without water’
‘The last thing we want is for people to experience further disruption as temperatures rise this weekend, putting many homes at risk of burst pipes due to freeze-thaw.
‘That’s why we’re urging everyone to check their water pipes are well insulated now and to follow our simple tips to protect homes against weather conditions.’
On Tuesday, the mercury plunged to minus 17.3C in Braemar in Scotland — the coldest temperature since February 11 2021.
Thames Water said local houses in north-west London, in the postcodes of NW2, NW6, NW8 and NW10, could be experiencing no or kombi Servisi low water pressure as a result of the burst main.
The company said in a statement: ‘We’re sorry to customers in NW6 and the wider area who have no water or lower pressure than normal today due to a burst pipe on Belsize Road.
‘Loss adjusters are in the area to assess the damage and support residents in getting their lives back to normal once the water has receded.’
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How to protect your home from £7,500 burst pipe bills, as freezing temperatures are set to continue across the UK this weekend
By Sam Barker for This is Money
Britain has been struggling through a cold snap that has seen temperatures plunge as low as -17.3C, and the big freeze isn’t over yet.
Temperatures as low as -10C are due to hit parts of the country over the weekend, leaving many households at risk of property damage.
But insurance experts have given simple tips on how to stave off the risk of expensive home repairs.
Freezing: Cold weather will continue to grip the UK this weekend, putting homes at risk
The Met Office has issued several National Severe Weather warnings for snow, ice and wind, with more likely to be announced over the coming days.
Freezing weather can cause problems such as burst pipes, which can cost tens of thousands of pounds to fix.
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The average cost of a burst pipe is £7,500, and these costs soon add up in a bad winter. In 2018 Britons paid £197million just to fix ruptured pipes inside properties.
One leaky pipe can release up to 15 gallons of water a minute, causing damage to walls, floors and contents.
Insurer Direct Line says households can help protect themselves and their properties in the face of extreme weather.
Direct Line response operations lead David Geddes said: ‘With temperatures in the UK set to drop even further over the weekend, there are a few simple precautions householders can take to protect both themselves and their homes from the winter weather.’
Its tips for protecting your home from frozen or burst pipes this weekend are as follows:
Some stopcocks look like this — while others are like a traditional hosepipe tap
Leave the heating on
If you can afford to, leaving the heating on at 15C can help avoid pipes freezing during seriously cold weather.
for the typical household, but Geddes said even one burst pipe can make this look like small change.
Geddes said: ‘We do recognise the challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis and high energy costs, but the damage caused by leaking pipes can be incredibly expensive to resolve.’
Know where your stopcock is
The stopcock controls all the water supply to a property. If a pipe does burst, Kombi Servisi turning the stopcock off will prevent further damage.
Open your loft hatch
This lets warm air move into your loft, which helps warm pipes and help stop them freezing up.
Fit lagging to pipes
Finally, Direct Line recommends fitting lagging to any external boiler pipes.
This lagging costs less than £1 a metre at hardware stores such as B&Q and Screwfix.
