Pavement 'blows up' outside Shoreditch polling station

Voters in Shoreditch were left stunned after a section of pavement “blew up” outside a polling station.

Police and firefighters were called to Murray Grove at the junction with Provost Street after smoke was seen coming from the ground.

Witness Carole Williams posted on Twitter: “Pavement on Murray Grove blew up. Polling station still open.

“No injuries and fire brigade in attendance.”

Pictures from the scene showed two manhole covers removed from the pavement and a large crack in the concrete was visible.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said the smoke was coming from an electrical junction box located under the pavement, but added the incident was non-suspicious.

One fire engine from Shoreditch was sent to the scene shortly after 6.25pm.

The incident is not believed to have affected voting at the polling station.