Passengers flee Tube station after explosion

A LONDON underground station was evacuated last night after a minor explosion.

A ‘suspicious package’ was found in Southgate station in North London after police received reports of ‘an explosion and people running’.

initially, some feared a terrorist attack, but police last night ruled out any links to terrorism. They said they believed the blast was caused by a battery short circuit, but it was not clear what type of product was involved.

London Ambulance Service said five people had been injured. Two of them were taken to hospital, while the other three were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

it is thought those who were hurt suffered injuries as passengers fled the station. James Ayton, 34, from Southgate, was

‘Terrorism links ruled out’

on the escalator when he saw a ‘quick burst’ of flames at the top. The flames were ‘6ft plus’ and everyone ‘legged it’.

Mr Ayton said: ‘it wasn’t a bang. it was like a very rapid whooshing sound. The Tube had just unloaded. The escalator was full. A few people got trampled on the escalator. An old woman got trampled on. i had to carry a woman up the stairs. i think she was in shock.’

Witnesses said up to 60 police officers arrived at the scene, along with sniffer dogs, a firearms unit and ambulances.

The station was closed and cordoned off just after 7pm.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘The reported explosion appears to have been minor. it appears at this stage that the cause was a battery short circuit. We are not aware of any serious injury.’