Commuters were plunged into a state of panic as a busy Tube station was evacuated after a loud bang and smoke filling a carriage was reported.
T
he station was cleared at the height of the morning rush hour, sparking confusion among passengers.
Transport for London confirmed it is investigating a fire alert triggered at about 9am. Two fire engines and 10 firefighters were sent to the station.
British Transport Police has said it is working to reopen the station, and that the evacuation was caused by a defective train.
Witnesses reported on social media hearing a loud bang before being told to leave the station as smoke began filling the carriage of a Central Line train.
TfL has warned of delays on the line. Loud bang at Holborn, smoke and then an evacuation pic.
A video has emerged online of commuters hurriedly leaving the station while a tannoy states: Would Inspector Sands please go to the operations room immediately.
TfL posted on Twitter: Some westtbound trains are being held at short notice while we investigate a faulty train at Holborn.
London Fire Brigade confirmed it was investigating. Just evacuated out of Holborn tube due a smoking train carriage. Scary stuff
Billy Hayden posted on Twitter: Just been evacuated from train due to loud bang and smoke filling platform at Holborn. Hope it’s nothing serious.
Chris Chipperton said: Scariest thing about hearing Inspector Sands at Holborn was that it took me longer than usual to leave the station.
We’re at Holborn station after reports of smoke on a @centralline train. Station is closed whilst officers and @LondonFire investigate.
It comes amid a morning of travel misery for the capital’s commuters, with a derailed train at Waterloo causing severe delays.
Two people were also injured when a train crashed into buffers at King’s Cross station.