Farringdon tube station was temporarily shut down this morning following a suspected gas leak that prompted a major emergency response. Paramedics treated at least 14 passengers, with two individuals subsequently taken to hospital for further care.
Incident Details
British Transport Police and armed officers were dispatched to the station after multiple passengers reported feeling unwell. The station was evacuated, and nearby offices were cleared, causing hundreds of workers to spill onto surrounding streets. The London Fire Brigade conducted a thorough sweep of the area and found no elevated readings of any chemicals, declaring the station safe by 11:35 AM.
Response and Aftermath
Kasia Lesforis, a 20-year-old employee of Jamaica Patty Co located opposite the station, told reporters that she observed armed police patrolling the area and people receiving medical treatment. The station closure led to minor delays on London Underground lines, with trains passing through without stopping during the investigation.
British Transport Police confirmed that the armed response was standard procedure for significant incidents and should not cause undue alarm. A spokesperson stated: "Following enquiries at the station it is believed a small number of people potentially came into contact with an unknown substance which was initially treated as a suspected gas leak."
London Fire Brigade reported that crews were called at 9:41 AM to investigate a smell of chemicals on an Elizabeth Line platform. Two fire engines, two fire rescue units, and specialist officers attended the scene. The station reopened shortly before 12:00 PM, and normal service resumed.
