Huge Clouds of Smoke after ‘Explosion’ in London

Huge rumbles of thunder could be heard across parts of Hackney Wick, and the incident could have been related to the weather, Metro Newspaper reported.

Witnesses described a ‘huge flash of light’ followed by the sound of a ‘massive’ bang in Hackney Wick.

The light was seen by residents all the way in Bow.

‘I saw a big flash of light out the window. I genuinely thought it was lightining but then I didn’t hear a thunder’ one resident said.

Meanwhile, another witness in Homerton said she heard ‘a big bang’, so thought it was a loud thunder.

Hackney Police said on Twitter: ‘We’ve received several calls about loud bangs in the Stoke Newington area this evening.

‘No major incidents have been reported to us. The noise appears to have been caused by thunder and lightning.’

However, the police did not make any reference to whether something had been struck in the storm to cause the smoke.

According to LightningMaps.org, several strikes took place in quick succession in Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington, Hampstead and Camden.

Jo Brodie tweeted: ‘Impressive lightning…Seen from my window in Blackheath, where we now have torrential rain.’

David Wyllie said: ‘Quite a loud explosion (and flash of light) here in Islington but no sign of thunderclouds.’

Barnaby Slater said: ‘Huge flash of light followed by sound of massive explosion and plume of smoke in North London.’

Aubrey Whitfield said: ‘Two huge flashes of light in London and loud bangs. Explosion? Heard in Hackney. Hope everyone is safe.’

Mikan said: ‘I just heard a very loud bang/explosion in North London?? Initially I thought it was thunder but apparently people across London heard it too.’

The London Fire Brigade and the Met Office have been contacted for further information.