  Thousands of homes, shops and offices were flooded, theatres were evacuated
and traffic was thrown into chaos when a thunderstorm swamped London last
night.
  Firemen were inundated with calls for help from a 30-mile radius.
  Many roads were flooded to a depth of two feet.  Some drivers abandoned
their waterlogged cars.
  Several Tube stations were closed as torrents poured onto the tracks.
  Near Isleworth station, in West London, a policeman on point duty took off
his boots and socks, rolled up his trousers and carried on.
  Shows at three West End theatres - the Duchess, Garrick and Victoria Palace
- were abandoned and the audiences left.
