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Burst Water Main Floods Islington Street

Published 24 February 2026

A burst 30-inch water main unleashed torrents of muddy water onto Caledonian Road in Islington, North London, on Tuesday afternoon, flooding streets, stranding vehicles and leaving dozens of homes and businesses without water supply.

The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m., when Thames Water received reports of the rupture. By 2 p.m., water had surged through the area, reaching depths of up to two meters in some spots and affecting a stretch from Twyford Street to the junction of Thornhill Bridge Wharf and Caledonian Road. The London Fire Brigade responded shortly after, deploying six fire engines and about 40 firefighters from stations including Dowgate, Euston and Soho. Crews used inflatable boats, pumping equipment and flood kits to manage the deluge, which prompted nearly two dozen public calls to authorities.

Thames Water quickly isolated the damaged pipe, stabilizing the network and restoring water to much of the wider area. However, residents and businesses in postcodes N1, N7, WC1X and EC1R continued to face low pressure or intermittent supply as repairs progressed into the evening. Engineers remained on site to assist with cleanup and support affected customers, while...

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