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Londoners were in a panic after a "gigantic bang" was heard across the city. Emergency services attended the scene after World War II bomb was found in Stables Market, Camden. People flocked to social media to ask what the "bang" was with some thinking it could have been thunder as storms roll in across the capital in line with Met Office forecasts but others in nearby locations thought the bomb had exploded.So, it may be that neither incident is related to the surge in reports of fireballs and associated loud bangs, and it's notable that these two reports were in London; however just over a month earlier on March 4th, residents of Leicester reported hearing a sonic boom and feeling their houses shake. In this instance, no explanation for the sound was given by authorities:
At the same time, a lightning bolt is said to have hit Belsize Park in Camden, causing the loud "bang" heard by many.
One Twitter user said: "Currently in a Camden Office, there are ongoing evacuations because of a WW2 bomb found nearby, it hasn't exploded so far, apparently the bang was a lightning strike in Belsize park leading to a school being evacuated."
Another user shared photos from the scene showing police and fire service in the area.
User @EmmaLeBentley said: A WW2 bomb has just gone off in the car park (Camden)."
London Fire Brigade confirmed firefighters attended the scene but "no explosion took place".
The service said: "Firefighters assisted emergency services after a report of a suspected unexploded ordnance in Camden. Following specialist examination, the item was declared safe and a cordon was lifted.
"No explosion took place. A loud noise reported in the area is believed to have been thunder."
Some weren't as quick to believe that the loud noise was an explosion, believing it was a result of the storms rolling across the UK.
Twitter user @RupertMyers said: "Hmm, looks like a bomb *has* been found in Camden, but since I saw the lightning flash and heard thunder, followed by a big downpour, I think we're dealing with a coincidence here."
Comment: Update May 30
abc.net.au reports: