Thousands evacuated in City of London after gas pipe rupture

Around 4,700 people were evacuated from buildings in the City of London on Tuesday following a gas leak on Old Broad Street. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to the scene at approximately 10.55am, where crews discovered a ruptured six-inch gas main at a six-storey office building.

A 200-metre cordon was put in place, stretching between Threadneedle Street and London Wall. Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Shortly before 2pm, the LFB confirmed that the incident had been resolved, the cordon was removed, and people were permitted to return to their properties.

Cause of the leak

A spokesperson for Cadent, the gas network operator, stated that the pipe causing the leak had been "severely damaged by a private construction team." Cadent teams were on-site carrying out repairs, and a road closure was in effect on Great Winchester Street until the work was completed. The spokesperson added that the construction work that caused the damage was unrelated to Cadent or its infrastructure.

Emergency response

The London Ambulance Service confirmed it had dispatched a hazardous area response team and an incident response officer to the scene. However, the service reported that no injuries or patients were recorded as a result of the incident. Two fire engines from Dowgate and Shadwell fire stations, along with a fire rescue unit from Bethnal Green, attended the incident.

Employees who were evacuated told The Standard they were "relieved" to be allowed back into their offices. One receptionist described how staff in their building could smell gas before the evacuation. They followed procedures and waited for updates before being informed they could return inside.