City of London Offices Evacuated After Major Gas Leak

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A major gas leak has forced firefighters and the police to seal off parts of the City of London on Tuesday.

Police placed the area near the junction of Moorgate and the London Wall in lockdown as thousands were evacuated from office buildings while firefighters dealt with a gas leak.

The Daily Express reports:

Amid the panic there were early reports from eyewitnesses of a bombscare, but London firefighters later confirmed the incident was in fact a gas leak.

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People described the eerie scene as like a “ghost town” as firefighters with specialist equipment went into the office complex to make sure that it was safe.

Nearby businesses were evacuated over fears the leak, which occurred at around 4pm, could cause an explosion.

The busy road, which runs close to both Moorgate and Liverpool Street stations and the Barbican theatre, is usually packed with office workers making their way home.

Eyewitness Aniel Patel said: “Security personnel are doing a good job keeping people safe.”

A City of London Police spokesman said the majority of London Wall was closed and officers had started evacuating nearby buildings from 4pm.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said the alarm was raised a 3.56pm, and that fire crews were on scene dealing with the leak.

There is a currently a gas leak on #LondonWall roads are closed. Check here for further updates.

— City Police (@CityPolice) July 26, 2016

Major gas leak on London Wall, best avoid pic.twitter.com/WsoG366o0m

— Paul Bridges (@PBridges77) July 26, 2016

Bomb scare at London Wall/Moorgate; stay alert London #London #News pic.twitter.com/ounQxxsECe

— Matt Williams (@MattDWills) July 26, 2016

Firefighters are attending a gas leak on #LondonWall EC2. Please avoid the area if possible © @Arbelix pic.twitter.com/bziwe1ru1q

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) July 26, 2016