Thousands evacuated from buildings in London after gas leak | UK News
Thousands of people have been evacuated from buildings after a gas leak in central London.
Firefighters are at the scene of the incident on Southwark Street in the borough of Southwark.
Other emergency services are also there, as is the gas board which “is working to isolate the gas leak and make the scene safe”, said London Fire Brigade (LFB).
Traffic is “heavily disrupted” and a cordon remains in place as a precaution.
Around 2,000 people have been evacuated from buildings.
No injuries have been reported following the incident by the junction of Great Suffolk Street.
The LFB later said a large number of those people who were evacuated have now left the area.
The fire brigade had said in a post on X just before 3pm: “We’re currently at the scene of a suspected gas leak on Southwark Street in Southwark. Emergency service colleagues are also in attendance.
“A cordon and road closure is in place and several buildings have been evacuated as a precaution. Please avoid the area at this time.”
A later post just before 4pm said: “We remain at the scene of a suspected gas leak in Southwark Street, by the junction of Great Suffolk Street.
“Around 2,000 people have been evacuated from buildings as a precaution with no injuries reported. Traffic is very heavy and people are advised to keep avoiding the area.”
And a third post just after 5pm read: “The gas board are on site in Southwark Street working to isolate the gas leak and make the scene safe.
“A large number of those evacuated have now left the area. A cordon remains in place as a precaution and traffic is still heavily disrupted.”
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