Tube flooded after Trafalgar Square fountains leaks onto Underground

A Tube line was suspended today after a station was flooded by water leaking from the fountains at Trafalgar Square.

The pump station for the fountains broke down this morning, causing water to begin leaking into Charing Cross station. This short-circuited the power supply to the Bakerloo line, forcing the line to be suspended between Paddington and Elephant and Castle.

There was also chaos for drivers as the flooding cut the power supply to the traffic lights around the square. Charing Cross mainline rail station was operating normally.

The London Fire Brigade said it was called shortly after 10am and had one engine on the scene to pump out water from the Tube station, which has an entrance on the square.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Boris Johnson, who is in charge of the square, said both fountains had leaked into the pump house, which is based within the Tube station. The cause of the flood was under investigation but it was unclear when Tube services would restart.

A TfL spokesman said the water had reached Bakerloo line platforms and had caused problems with the station escalators. He said smoke had also been seen coming from a machine room.

A TfL spokesman said: "Charing Cross Underground station has been closed since around 10.15am after flooding from outside the station caused problems on the Bakerloo line platforms and with escalator machinery. London Fire Brigade have attended the station after the water ingress led to smoke coming from the station's machine rooms.

"The Bakerloo line is currently suspended from Paddington to Elephant & Castle while the problem is resolved, which we are working with the others agencies involved to do as soon as possible."

A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: "We attended Trafalgar Square today in an advisory capacity after contractors working for the GLA (Greater London Assembly) accidentally chopped through a section of privately-owned water pipe feeding the fountains.

"Shortly before midday - about an hour after we were first alerted - water in the broken pipe was turned off, stopping it gushing into Charing Cross Underground station.

"Our engineers remain on site to advise on, or lend a hand in, the clean-up if needed."