About 4,700 people have been evacuated in the City of London after a damaged gas main triggered a major emergency response, forcing nearby buildings to shut down as a safety precaution.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it received a call at 10:55 BST about the incident on Old Broad Street, where firefighters discovered a ruptured six-inch gas main at a six-storey office building.
Gas network operator Cadent said the pipe was “severely damaged by a private construction team” and confirmed that its engineers were at the scene working to repair it.
The company stressed that the construction work responsible for the damage “had nothing to do with Cadent or its pipework”.
Authorities have established a 200-metre cordon between Threadneedle Street and London Wall, with surrounding buildings evacuated to protect workers, residents and members of the public.
Cadent said it was working closely with the LFB to ensure the affected area was safe before people could return to their buildings.
Two fire engines from Dowgate and Shadwell fire stations, together with a fire rescue unit from Bethnal Green, remain at the scene as emergency crews manage the situation.
The incident has disrupted activity in the busy financial district, with thousands of people forced to leave nearby buildings while repair and safety operations continue.
