SECONDS FROM DISASTER
Dramatic moment hero cop rescues two young children from Elephant and Castle explosion
THIS is the dramatic moment a hero police officer rescued two young children after a massive explosion under Elephant and Castle train station.
Black smoke can be seen billowing above the capital for miles after a large fireball erupted under the major transport hub.
🔵 Read our Elephant and Castle fire live blog for live updates...
12
12
12
12
12
Shocking video posted to snapchat shows the chaos which ensued as people rushed to evacuate the station.
Mothers were seen carrying babies out of the buildings which has caught fire.
Seconds later, a brave cop was seen rushing out of the burning building with two young children.
The kids are seen clutching to the officer in terror and he runs down the steps away from the blaze.
Meanwhile, one man is being treated by ambulance crews after a blaze broke out LFB have confirmed.
Terrified witnesses posted the shocking images on social media, explaining that they had been “engulfed” in black smoke.
Police are currently urgently evacuating residents and businesses in the area.
Officers have reportedly confirmed that "dangerous chemicals" have been involved in the blaze.
Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen filling the air above central London at around 1.45pm this afternoon.
Travellers were urgently evacuated from the station after the blaze broke out.
There are unconfirmed reports the fire broke out at an auto repair shop in one of the arches under the station.
A mechanic who works in the garage said: “We all had to run out of the shop. I didn’t see how it started.
“There were six of us in the shop at the time. We left all our things in there and had to run. I could see flames about seven metres high.
“My phone is still in there and all my things. There are three cars in there now and other things that can explode so I don’t think we will be allowed back.”
12
12
A passenger on the Tube travelling through Elephant and Castle station said the area was being "hurriedly closed", and that it was a petrol station that had caught fire.
Services are set to be disrupted for an extended period of time, potentially causing chaos during the after work peak hour rush.
Thameslink said all lines through Elephant and Castle are currently blocked due to the fire.
Services between St Albans and Sutton and London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks are affected.
The Northern Line is not stopping at Elephant and Castle tube station as a result of the fire.
Officers have taped off Walworth Road, leading up to the station's entrance on Elephant Road, and closed the entrance to the Northern line.
One video shows the moment that a huge ball of fire exploded out of the side of the station.
12
12
12
"Smoke still pouring out, the area under the station is covered in thick, black smoke. Ambulances and fire fighting crew are in attendance."
Sara Scarpa, 25, lives in nearby apartment building Hurlock Heights and said smoke and the noise of the explosion had reached her window.
"We opened the window for a sec as you could hear people shouting, and we smelt something very very strong," she said.
"The smoke (was) dying down a little... we heard an explosion and now it started again."
London Fire Brigade said around 100 firefighters were battling the blaze, and that three railway arch units, six cars and a telephone box were all on fire.
Station Commander James Ryan, who is at the scene, warned people to "avoid the area" and "keep windows and doors closed".
A witness said they saw "numerous" cop cars present, an ambulance and three fire engines.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:"We were called at 1.50pm today to reports of a fire near Elephant and Castle station.
Most read in News
"We sent a number of ambulance crews, incident response officers and specialist response teams to the scene, including our hazardous area response team.
"They remain at the scene where they are working alongside other emergency services."
A Metropolitan Police spokesman added: "Police were called at approximately 13:47hrs in response to a fire on Elephant Road, SE17.
"Officers and the London Ambulance Service are supporting London Fire Brigade at the scene.
"There are significant road closures in place and the public are advised to avoid the area.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"The station has been evacuated and residential evacuations are taking now place.
"At this early stage, the incident is not believed to be terror related."
12
12
Topics