Kennington flood delays traffic, cuts off water supplies and damages houses after pipe bursts

Seventy two firefighters have been called in response to flooding in Kennington

Street light collapsed in Kennington flood: Firefighters work to clear the area of water (Twitter/Chris Woo)

Flooding in Kennington has led to damage of homes and businesses, road closures, bus diversions and water shortages in the south London neighbourhood.

London Fire Brigade confirmed that the flood, which has since subsided, was caused by a burst water main on Kennington Park Road which has left a river of water on the street, half a meter deep.

The fire service was called just after 9am this morning. Ten fire engines and 72 firefighters from Lambeth, Brixton, Clapham, Homerton, Old Kent Road, Dowgate, Dockhead, Tottenham and West Hampstead fire stations were sent to attend the incident.

Locals and commuters have been tweeting pictures or their journeys, with some joking about the flooding and calling it the new “Lambeth lido”.

The street is closed at Kennington Park Road on the junction with Kennington Park Place and several bus routes have been diverted around the area. TfL has said to expect delays in the Oval area and that bus numbers 3, 59, 133, 155, 159, 333 and 415 are on diversion.

Hundreds of sandbags have been used to protect homes and shops, according to the fire brigade. Around 15 properties have been affected by the floods and fire crews are currently working to pump water from them.

Due to the burst pipe some homes have had their water cut off with others experiencing low pressure. The flooding comes just as the UK is expecting a heatwave over the next few days.