Leicester Square gas leak: Hundreds evacuated from busy shops, offices and hotel

A gas leak in Leicester Square has sparked the evacuation of around 200 people from nearby shops, offices and a hotel.

Police asked staff in businesses surrounding the square to leave the area before putting a 50-metre cordon in place.

London Fire Brigade confirmed that gas engineers are now in the square trying to repair the leak.

The popular Youtuber Sqaishey described how they were evacuated from a Premier Inn hotel in their pyjama bottoms.

They said: "Evacuated hotel in my pyjama bottoms & phantom killers merch. Now gotta walk around London absolutely killing the fashion game.

"We were evacuated from the Premier Inn with the esports team Phantom Killers. was very organised evacuation."

Fire crews are expected to remain at the scene throughout the morning (Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard/eyevine)

London Fire Brigade Station Commander Clive Robinson added: “A gas main has ruptured and around 200 people have been evacuated from surrounding buildings and a hotel.

“Crews are expected to remain on scene throughout the morning.”

A spokesman for the brigade added: "Crews were called at 7.01am to reports of a gas leak in Leicester Square.

Cadent engineers are now at the scene trying to fix the leak (Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard/eyevine)

"Around 200 people have been evacuated from nearby properties and a 50 metre cordon remains in place.

"Engineers from Cadent gas are working to repair the gas leak.

"Two fire engines and around 10 firefighters from Soho and Euston Fire Stations are at the scene."

A spokesman for the Met Police said: “Police were called at 07.27am on Tuesday, 14 December following reports of a suspected gas leak in Leicester Square.

“Emergency services are in attendance.

“A number of buildings have been evacuated as a precaution, and the square is currently closed to pedestrians.”