About 2,000 people evacuated from buildings after suspected gas leak

About 2,000 people were evacuated from buildings in Southwark after a suspected gas leak yesterday afternoon.

The London fire brigade (LFB) said it was called to Southwark Street, by the junction of Great Suffolk Street at around 2pm.

A cordon and road closure was in place and several buildings were evacuated as a precaution, the LFB said on X, formerly Twitter.

The brigade said no-one had been reported injured and advised people to avoid the area, noting heavy traffic in the surrounding roads.

At around 5pm the LFB said the gas board was on site “working to isolate the gas leak and make the scene safe”.

A spokeswoman from the LFB said: “The road is now reopened and the cordon has been lifted for the area, though traffic is expected to remain disrupted as road works take place.

“The incident was over for firefighters at around 6.30pm. Three fire engines from Euston, Shadwell and Lambeth fire stations attended the scene.”

Pictured top: Police and firefighters at the scene of the suspected gas leak yesterday afternoon (Picture: LFB)