Gas leak forces evacuation of nearly 5,000 people in City of London

Around 10.55 am, the London Fire Brigade received a call about a gas leak on Old Broad Street, where firefighters discovered a ruptured six-inch main at a six-storey office block. Approximately 4,700 occupants were evacuated and a 200-metre cordon was set up between Threadneedle Street and London Wall as a precaution. Two fire engines from Dowgate and Shadwell stations, together with a rescue unit from Bethnal Green, continue to monitor the situation.

The incident has not affected rail or underground services at Liverpool Street, but several bus routes, including numbers 21, 43, 100, 141 and 153, are operating on diversions. Road closures include both directions of the A1211 Wormwood Street between the A10 Bishopsgate and London Wall/Bloomfield Street. The fire brigade later announced that the leak had been resolved.