1,450 evacuated and stations are shut after major gas leak in central London

A MAJOR road in central London reopened after a gas leak led to the closure of two major railway stations and the evacuation of 1,450 people.

Heaven nightclub was cleared and guests at a nearby hotel were moved into emergency accommodation after the alarm was raised in the Strand at about 2am yesterday.

Engineers located the gas escape at the junction of Craven Street with Corner House Street, and had to check nearby buildings for gas before the area was reopened just after noon.

Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations were shut, with services diverted into Victoria, Cannon Street and Blackfriars.

National Rail said all lines had reopened, but trains may continue to be cancelled, delayed or revised into the afternoon.

The Amba Hotel, nearby flats, offices and Charing Cross stations were evacuated after high levels of natural gas were detected at Craven Street.

Brett Loft, LFB spokesman and station manager at Chelsea, 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.”

James Harrison, head of operations in London for gas supplier Cadent, said the cause of the leak was unknown.

Mr Harrison said buildings were evacuated in order to “safeguard the public” and to enable engineers and emergency services to fix the gas leak.