Fourteen train passengers received medical treatment after a smell of chemicals was reported on an underground platform at a major London railway station, firefighters said. The incident took place at Farringdon station in the centre of the capital on Thursday morning. The station was evacuated and closed but has since reopened.
Emergency Response Details
London Fire Brigade (LFB) stated: “Firefighters were called to a report of a smell of chemicals on an Elizabeth line platform at Farringdon station this morning. Crews attended and carried out a sweep of the area to check for elevated readings of any chemical substances. No elevated readings were detected. Fourteen people were treated at the scene with two of those people taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service as a precaution.”
LFB said it was called about the incident at 9.41am and dispatched various units including two fire engines. The scene was declared safe by 11.35am.
Authorities’ Statements
British Transport Police (BTP) said it believed a “small number of people potentially came into contact with an unknown substance.” The incident was initially treated as a suspected gas leak. BTP added that armed police attended the scene as part of the response by the emergency services, which is “typical during a significant incident and should not cause undue concern to the public in this case.”
All affected individuals received prompt medical attention, and the station resumed normal operations after the all-clear was given.
