Southgate tube station EXPLOSION: Five injured as screaming passengers flee 6ft flames

Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a suspicious package shortly after 7pm.

Witnesses reported panic in the station after a “quick burst” of flames towering 6ft high shot out from the top of a busy escalator.

People were trampled in the confusion as terrified passengers ran for the exits.

London Ambulance Service said five people have been injured. Two have been taken to hospital. 

A battery short circuit appeared to have caused the explosion, police said.

The area around the station was sealed off with a wide cordon and people in the vicinity were told to stay indoors.

James Ayton, 34, from Southgate, was on the escalator when he spotted flames at the top.

He said the flames were "six foot plus" and everyone "legged it" after seeing them.

He said: "It wasn't a bang. It was like a very rapid whooshing sound."

"A few people got trampled on on the escalator. There was screaming.

"An old woman got trampled on. I had to carry a woman up the stairs. I think she was in shock to be honest. She couldn't walk, shaking."

He said he saw a Tube worker pick something up that was on fire and extinguish it but he added: "I think that was secondary rather than the cause."

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 7.03pm on Tuesday, 19 June, to reports of an explosion and people running at Southgate underground station.

“Met officers attended the scene along with colleagues from British Transport Police (BTP), London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.

“The scene has been examined by specialist officers. It appears at this stage that the cause of the explosion was a battery short circuit. The Met Police and BTP are working together to establish the full facts.

“We are not aware of any serious injury.

Winchmore Hill resident Frank Norton, who was sat in an Indian restaurant opposite Southgate station, told Express.co.uk he saw three people lying on the floor shortly after the explosion.

He said: “I saw a girl lying outside the station obviously in distress and suffering from the effects of smoke and there were two other people lying on the concourse and they seemed to be suffering for the same kind of thing."

His friend, Vardanand Meephoo, said: “There was an awful acrid smell of burning rubber or something similar.

“A woman came up to us and seemed extremely frightened and shocked by what had just happened.”

There are severe delays on a section of the Piccadilly line remains closed while police continue to investigate at Southgate station.

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We sent multiple resources to the scene, including a number of ambulance crews, our hazardous area response team, a medic in a fast response car, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer.

"We have treated three patients at the scene for minor injuries and have taken two people to hospital.

"We remain on scene, working with other emergency services colleagues."

An earlier statement from the Met said: “Met officers are dealing with a suspicious package at #Southgate tube station. Cordons are in place and officers remain at the scene.

“We will update with more info as we get it.”

Shortly after emergency services arrived on the scene, a Twitter user with the handle @nakzokulah posted: “I was at Southgate Station when this commotion started.

“I could smell burning (like rubber) and saw multiple people hurrying for the exits. I was outside the station about to enter the 125 bus.

“Do not think this is fear mongering or fake news. It's very real.”

British Transport Police said: "Officers from @BTP & @metpoliceuk remain at  Tube station following an earlier incident.

"Enquiries continue but we do not believe this to be terror-related at time." (sic)

The Piccadilly line is experiencing severe delays between Arnos Grove and Cockfosters. There are minor delays on the rest of the line.