'Explosions' near Old Bailey as smoke billows from windows and firefighters rush to the scene

Explosions were reportedly heard near the Old Bailey today as smoke billowed from the windows.

Firefighters were called to a building next to the criminal court in central London shortly before 11am.

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The Old Bailey was evacuated and power cuts were reported in nearby buildings.

The London Fire Brigade said in a statement: “Firefighters are currently responding to reports of smoke coming from a building on Warwick Lane.”

A witness wrote on

“It appears that many buildings have suffered a power outage.”