Almost 5,000 evacuated in City of London gas leak

Surrounding offices have been evacuated (Collected Photo)

About 4,700 people have been evacuated in the City of London after a gas leak.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called at 10:55 BST to Old Broad Street, where crews found a ruptured six-inch gas main at a six-storey office building.

A Cadent gas spokesperson said the pipe was “severely damaged by a private construction team” and its teams are on-site carrying out repairs.

A 200m cordon has been established between Threadneedle Street and London Wall, with nearby buildings evacuated as a precaution.

The Cadent spokesperson added that the work which caused the damage “had nothing to do with Cadent or its pipework”.

The company has also said it is working with LFB to ensure the site is fully safe before people can return to buildings.

Two fire engines from Dowgate and Shadwell fire stations, along with a fire rescue unit from Bethnal Green, remain at the scene.