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Fire near Fortnum and Mason closes London street Fire near Fortnum and Mason closes London street
(about 2 hours later)
A street in central London closed for several hours after a manhole explosion set a lorry on fire near Fortnum and Mason department store.A street in central London closed for several hours after a manhole explosion set a lorry on fire near Fortnum and Mason department store.
About 20 firefighters tackled the blaze on Piccadilly, which started at 22:55 BST on Wednesday.About 20 firefighters tackled the blaze on Piccadilly, which started at 22:55 BST on Wednesday.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said nearby buildings were evacuated but there were no injuries or arrests.A Metropolitan Police spokesman said nearby buildings were evacuated but there were no injuries or arrests.
The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident but it re-opened at about 04:00 BST.The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident but it re-opened at about 04:00 BST.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said it attends approximately one fire a week involving a manhole cover. A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said it attends approximately one fire a week involving a manhole cover.
"A manhole cover had exploded and spread to a nearby parked van," he said."A manhole cover had exploded and spread to a nearby parked van," he said.
"Crews managed to tow the vehicle away from the area using a long line which prevented further damage to the vehicle."Crews managed to tow the vehicle away from the area using a long line which prevented further damage to the vehicle.
"Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution but there were no injuries.""Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution but there were no injuries."
'Burst into flames''Burst into flames'
A spokesman for UK Power Networks said it is carrying out an investigation into "a fire from a cable pit". A spokesman for UK Power Networks said it was carrying out an investigation into "a fire from a cable pit".
In February, 50 people were evacuated from Caledonian Road, Islington, north London after a pavement burst into flames.In February, 50 people were evacuated from Caledonian Road, Islington, north London after a pavement burst into flames.
In April last year, a pavement exploded on Pimlico Road, in central London, narrowly missing a passer-by standing just yards away.In April last year, a pavement exploded on Pimlico Road, in central London, narrowly missing a passer-by standing just yards away.
In 2012, a woman was injured in Shepherd's Bush, west London, when an explosion in a manhole knocked her off her bicycle.In 2012, a woman was injured in Shepherd's Bush, west London, when an explosion in a manhole knocked her off her bicycle.
Last year, figures obtained by BBC London showed reported incidents of underground explosions in the capital more than tripled between 2011 and 2012.Last year, figures obtained by BBC London showed reported incidents of underground explosions in the capital more than tripled between 2011 and 2012.