Police arrest 23-year-old man over Southgate Tube explosion sparked by faulty drill battery which injured at least five people

  • Two people hospitalised and three injured after explosion at Southgate station
  • Man, 23, from Enfield was arrested before being released under investigation
  • Blast caused by short-circuiting power drill battery, British Transport Police said  

A man has been arrested over a London Underground tube explosion which left at least five people injured.  

Terrified commuters fled Southgate Tube station in panic after an electronic device overheated just after 7pm last night.  

Two people were taken to hospital while three others injured were treated at the scene, the ambulance service said.

A 23-year-old man from Enfield was arrested on suspicion of doing an act likely to cause an explosion to injure or damage property, and endangering safety on the railway before being released under investigation. 

The cause of the blast has been confirmed by the British Transport Police as a short-circuiting power drill. 

Investigating: Southgate Tube station remains cordoned off tonight, three hours after an explosion happened 

Investigating: Southgate Tube station remains cordoned off tonight, three hours after an explosion happened 

Police initially said they were dealing with reports of a suspicious package at the station. This was later downgraded by the British Transport Police who said the blast was not terror-related.

The station remained shut off to the public while enquiries continued late into the evening last night.

Witnesses described seeing commuters scramble out of the exit with an elderly woman knocked to the ground in the fray. 

One said: 'I was on the escalator and there was a massive bang. I saw sparks and smoke and just ran out of the station.

'All I could see was flames coming from the escalator as staff yelled at us to get out.'   

Panic: The police say they were called to reports of an explosion just after 7pm after people were seen fleeing from the station 

Panic: The police say they were called to reports of an explosion just after 7pm after people were seen fleeing from the station 

Patrol: A specialist police officer as well as sniffer dogs have been combing the scene 

One man took to Twitter to describe how he had to carry a woman up the stairs as commuters were left terrified by the commotion.

He said: 'Fire in Southgate Tube Station escalator. I had to carry a woman over the middle onto the stairs and then up the stairs. Flare or electrics my guess. That was a bit terrifying.

'Some poor old lady was nearly trampled over till we calmed those running down the escalator.'  

The panicked response from commuters shows how Londoners are on high alert after a string of terror attacks last year.

Evacuated: Southgate Tube Station in Enfield, North London, has been shut down following an explosion 

Evacuated: Southgate Tube Station in Enfield, North London, has been shut down following an explosion 

The Met Police were investigating a suspicious package at Southgate Tube Station in Enfield, North London, tonight when an explosion rocked the station 

Thirty people were injured after a bomb partially exploded on a District Line train in Parsons Green last September.

Teenager Ahmed Hassan was found guilty of attempted murder after a court heard how the ISIS sympathiser primed the device in a public bathroom before getting off the train at Putney Bridge.  

Tongith Witness Haluk Oskan, 26, described the commotion as passengers at Southgate realised there had been an explosion.

He told the Daily Star: 'I was at Southgate Station when this commotion started.

'I could smell burning (like rubber) and saw multiple people hurrying for the exits. Station staff were scurrying around inside and people were rushing out of the exit.'

One man told The Mirror he had to carry a woman up the stairs as commuters were left terrified by the explosion.

He said: 'Fire in Southgate Tube Station escalator. I had to carry a woman over the middle onto the stairs and then up the stairs. Flare or electrics my guess. That was a bit terrifying.

'Some poor old lady was nearly trampled over till we calmed those running down the escalator..'  

Another witness told MailOnline: 'There's sniffer dogs everywhere, there's loads of undercover police. It's madness over here. I know people have been evacuated from their homes. I was watching.'

Another man said he is still stuck inside a restaurant as police officers work to clear the scene.

'Stuck in an Indian restaurant opposite Southgate station because of a suspect bomb going off inside (the station).' 

He added that he saw a person being carried out of the station on a stretcher.

Officers from the Met Police liaise with ambulance and fire crews

Officers from the Met Police liaise with ambulance and fire crews

At the scene: Police have shut off the entire area outside the busy Tube station 

At the scene: Police have shut off the entire area outside the busy Tube station 

'Don't know too much except we have been told to stay inside,' he said. 

Darren Yarlett, a city worker, 36, was driving home in Southgate but police had taped off the roads near to the station.

He told the Evening Standard: 'The police moved us on, but they said there was an explosion in the station.  

'There must be around 50 or 60 police, an ambulance, fire arms and dog units.'

He added: 'I didn't hear anything so don't want to jump to any conclusions but the amount of ambulances would say something has happened.'

One resident tweeted: 'Got escorted out of my flat next to #Southgate tube station. All cornered off but we're not getting many answers.' 

Explosion: Firefighters were called to Southgate Tube Station to assist with the incident 

Explosion: Firefighters were called to Southgate Tube Station to assist with the incident 

Panic: Trasnport for London workers standing close to the scene after the incident 

Panic: Trasnport for London workers standing close to the scene after the incident 

On the scene: Police have surrounded the station in North London 

One Twitter user posted to say: 'Stuck in an Indian restaurant opposite #Southgate station because of a suspect bomb going off inside (the station).

'Don't know too much except we have been told to stay inside. Suspet9 device found/gone off inside tube. Saw one person coming out on a stretcher.'

They later added: 'Having a police escort back to #PremierInn now because there has been a device go off in the station.' 

British Transport Police added; 'We are currently dealing with an incident at #Southgate tube station. Officers are at the scene. More info as we get it.'

A woman who lives next to the station said she had been evacuated from her flat.

The woman, called Naomi, wrote on Twitter: 'Got escorted out of my flat next to Southgate tube station.

'All cornered off but we're not getting many answers. I have no bra on, one hand painted and my hair's wet.' 

The Tube line was reporting severe delays between Arnos Grove and Cockfosters. There are minor delays on the rest of the line.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: 'We remain at Tube station in London following a reported minor explosion. A number of people have been treated at the scene. No serious injuries reported and enquiries continue.'

More to follow 

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