This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44542653
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Southgate Tube explosion: Five injured, two in hospital | Southgate Tube explosion: Five injured, two in hospital |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Five people have been injured in a suspected explosion at a Tube station. | Five people have been injured in a suspected explosion at a Tube station. |
| Witnesses described smelling "burning rubber" and seeing "six-foot flames" at the entrance to Southgate underground station in Enfield. | |
| Police said the "minor explosion", at about 19:00 BST, was thought to have been caused by a battery short circuit. | |
| Paramedics treated five people at the scene and took two to hospital. British Transport Police said the incident was not thought to be terror-related. | Paramedics treated five people at the scene and took two to hospital. British Transport Police said the incident was not thought to be terror-related. |
| 'Everyone legged it' | |
| James Ayton, 34, from Southgate, was on the "packed" escalator when he saw a "quick burst" of flames at the top. | |
| He said they were "six foot plus" and everyone "legged it" upon hearing a "rapid whooshing sound." | |
| "The Tube had just unloaded. The escalator was full," he said. | |
| "A few people got trampled on on the escalator. There was screaming. | |
| "An old woman got trampled on. I had to carry a woman up the stairs. I think she was in shock to be honest. She couldn't walk, shaking." | |
| He said he saw a Tube worker pick something up that was on fire and extinguish it but added: "I think that was secondary rather than the cause." | |
| Haluk Ozkan was about to get on a bus outside the station when he smelt something burning. | Haluk Ozkan was about to get on a bus outside the station when he smelt something burning. |
| The finance worker, 26, who was with his partner at the time, said: "We were just outside the exit. We could smell a burning smell, like burning rubber." | The finance worker, 26, who was with his partner at the time, said: "We were just outside the exit. We could smell a burning smell, like burning rubber." |
| "We thought the bus engine had over-heated," he added. | "We thought the bus engine had over-heated," he added. |
| "We then saw people rushing to get out of the station. Not necessarily running or panicking, but moving quickly. | "We then saw people rushing to get out of the station. Not necessarily running or panicking, but moving quickly. |
| "Then my partner saw a station staff member pointing a fire extinguisher at something and heard it go off, but we didn't see what it was directed at." | "Then my partner saw a station staff member pointing a fire extinguisher at something and heard it go off, but we didn't see what it was directed at." |
| A London Ambulance spokesperson said: "We were called today at 19:02 BST to an incident at Station Parade, N14. | A London Ambulance spokesperson said: "We were called today at 19:02 BST to an incident at Station Parade, N14. |
| "We have treated three patients at the scene for minor injuries and have taken two people to hospital." | "We have treated three patients at the scene for minor injuries and have taken two people to hospital." |
| Specialist officers said the cause of the explosion appeared to be a battery short circuit. | Specialist officers said the cause of the explosion appeared to be a battery short circuit. |
| Enquires are ongoing to establish the "full facts", a Met spokesman added. | Enquires are ongoing to establish the "full facts", a Met spokesman added. |
| Scotland Yard said officers remained at the scene along with colleagues from British Transport Police, London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service. | Scotland Yard said officers remained at the scene along with colleagues from British Transport Police, London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service. |
| Cordons are in place and the station is closed. | Cordons are in place and the station is closed. |
| London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was in touch with senior police officers. | London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was in touch with senior police officers. |