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Huge gas leak near the Strand sparks evacuation from central London nightclub and hotel

<em>The Strand was closed as engineers were brought in to locate the gas leak (SWNS)</em>
The Strand was closed as engineers were brought in to locate the gas leak (SWNS)

Around 1,450 people have been evacuated from a nightclub and a hotel, while a major railway station is closed after a gas main ruptured in the Strand, central London.

Witnesses described “chaos” as doormen at the Heaven nightclub ordered them to leave after the alarm was raised at around 2am, while guests at the hotel were moved into emergency accommodation.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called to the scene at after high levels of natural gas were detected at the scene in Craven Street near Charing Cross station.

The Strand, a major route through central London, has been closed entirely and a 150m cordon put in place while National Grid engineers try to isolate the leak.

<em>Commuters faced delays and cancellations as a result of the closure of Charing Cross station (SWNS)</em>
Commuters faced delays and cancellations as a result of the closure of Charing Cross station (SWNS)
<em>The Strand is one of the busiest parts of central London (PA)</em>
The Strand is one of the busiest parts of central London (PA)
<em>A usually busy Strand was closed off to the public (PA)</em>
A usually busy Strand was closed off to the public (PA)

An LFB spokesman said: “We are assisting police on the Strand after a ruptured gas main was discovered using detection equipment and high levels of natural gas were detected in the atmosphere.

“As a precaution, approximately 1,450 people have been evacuated. They are from a hotel and a night club.

“The Strand is completely closed and we are asking people to avoid the area.

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“We do not know the cause of the gas leak at this stage. It is ongoing and engineers are down at the scene trying to isolate the leak. There are still high readings of natural gas in the area.

“We are working to sort it out as quickly as possible.”

Revellers at the Heaven nightclub described trying to leave “as fast as possible” after they were told to get out.

<em>A London Fire Brigade spokesman said there was no danger to the public (SWNS)</em>
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said there was no danger to the public (SWNS)
<em>London Fire Brigade ordered the evacuation of Heaven nightclub (SWNS)</em>
London Fire Brigade ordered the evacuation of Heaven nightclub (SWNS)
<em>The Strand has been closed entirely and a 150m cordon put in place while National Grid engineers try to isolate the leak (PA)</em>
The Strand has been closed entirely and a 150m cordon put in place while National Grid engineers try to isolate the leak (PA)

One person wrote on Twitter: “Evacuated from heaven because of a gas leak wow. Literally chaos. Crush on the stairs. Security being knocked aside.”

Another, Chloe-Mai, said: “Lots of people trying to leave at the same time. as soon as the word evacuation was heard from security staff everyone was trying to get out as fast as possible.”

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “Charing Cross station is currently closed owing to a gas leak in a nearby road.

“We will reopen the station as soon as we have clearance from emergency services that it is safe to do so. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.”

Commuters trying to get into London for work have taken to Twitter to vent about delays and cancellations as a result of the leak.

Members of public have been told to keep away as a cordon has been put in place and motorists have been advised to avoid the area as a number of roads have been closed.

Cadent Gas said engineers were on site on Craven Street behind Charing Cross station to try to locate the gas escape.

A spokesman added: “We are working with the emergency services and a safety precaution an exclusion zone has been put in place.

<em>London Fire Brigade said there are still high readings of natural gas in the area (PA)</em>
London Fire Brigade said there are still high readings of natural gas in the area (PA)
<em>Members of public have been told to keep away as a cordon has been put in place (SWNS)</em>
Members of public have been told to keep away as a cordon has been put in place (SWNS)

“The Amba Hotel, nearby flats, offices and Charing Cross stations were evacuated. Craven Street and the Strand from Duncannon Street junction to Trafalgar Square is closed.”

It is the second time in recent weeks that hundreds of people have been evacuated in London due to a gas leak following an incident on Horseferry Road in Westminster on January 9.

Brett Loft, LFB spokesman and station manager at Chelsea, said he could not be sure how long the roads will remain closed, saying it depends on how long it takes gas authorities to find and seal the leak.

<em>Police closed the area off over safety concerns (PA)</em>
Police closed the area off over safety concerns (PA)
<em>High levels of natural gas were detected at the scene in Craven Street near Charing Cross station (PA)</em>
High levels of natural gas were detected at the scene in Craven Street near Charing Cross station (PA)

He said: “It has happened a few times recently.

“With the ageing pipes in London there is an ongoing programme at the moment to replace all the pipework.

“It’s just one of those things. It happens.”

Mr Loft said there is no danger to the public.