It was initially reported that a sewage pipe had burst, causing a torrent of excrement to cascade down the road.
But a Thames Water spokesman said the dirty water was the result of a burst main which had mixed with silt and mud.
Resident Lewis Whyld, who posted footage online, wrote on Twitter: ‘People now getting trapped by sewage in south London, firefighters evacuating properties.’
There are lots of basements around here. One of the houses has already been badly flooded. The water just flooded the road in 10 minutes. It was quite incredible.’
Several fire engines, police cars and an ambulance attended the scene near Oval Tube station last night, while a London Underground Emergency Response Unit were also deployed.
