PRECIOUS water surged down Kentish Town Road for almost two hours after a water main burst outside Pang’s fish and chip shop.

Dozens of businesses and homes have reported low pressure or loss off water due to latest major flooding chaos from Thames Water.

Police set up a cordon at the junction with Royal College Street, stretching towards Camden Town, around 10.15am.

The water was running more than a foot deep all the way down to Quinn’s pub at the junction with Hawley Road.

It came with the summer hosepipe ban still in place in Camden.

Firefighters helping out at Quinn’s pub 

Firefighters handed out sandbangs to businesses and helping to cut off the supply and clear the drains and rubble from the pavement.

Pangs, which has been in the area for more than 40 years, faced the brunt of the burst that caused the road to erupt right outside its entrance.

Most of the businesses without basements were not oo been badly affected, but those further down were struggling to stop the floodwater gushing in.

Residents with shopping and children in buggies were struggling to cross the road to reach their homes in Farrier Street and in the Clarence Way Estate.

Caitlin and Martino at Anima e Cuore

Caitlin Currie, who runs Anima e Cuore with her partner Martino Funarola, said: “I opened the door and was completely shocked, the water was gushing down the street. The first thing I saw was this, thinking there had been some freak flash flood.

“I didn’t hear any explosion or noise, but I was also listening to Beyonce in the bathroom so maybe that was it.

“We live above the restaurant and I was getting my trousers off the washing line and I could hear all this water and I thought ‘it’s not raining’. I was confused.”

The flood stretched from Pang’s to Quinn’s

Ms Currie added: “When you look at the pavement and the damage it’s really scary, imagine if you were walking there at that time, but I don’t think anyone was hurt fortunately.”

She said she had tried to help the Lux Nail shop put up wood in front of the entrance.

The water was a foot deep 

Ms Currie added: “In winter there  was a gas explosion on Kentish Town Road and we had to close then. We expect we’ll be closed again, for at least today, it depends how long it takes them to turn the water off.

In October last year another massive water main burst in Leighton Road at the north end of Kentish Town Road.

In that flood, there was severe damage to businesses like the Assembly House pub, Berbere pizzeria, the Caversham GP Surgery and the homes on Leighton Road.

The blown up pavement where the mains pipe burst 

A Thames Water spokesperson said: “We’re sorry if your tap water isn’t running at the moment.

“We’re aware of a burst water pipe in Kentish Town Road, NW1, which is affecting customers in the NW1 & NW5 areas.

“Our specialist team is enroute to the area, once on site they’ll assess the damage and arrange for teams to start repairing it, and get your water supply back as soon as its safe to do so.

“We’ll provide another update by 3.15pm.”

The clear up job began around midday