Tube fire at Oxford Circus leaves two people in hospital

There were reports of panic on London Underground recently after a series of carriages on the Bakerloo Line filled with smoke. People in carriages could be seen covering their faces as the smoke moved through the Tube train during this morning’s rush hour. Some people on the train heard screeching coming from the wheels of the train soon after it left Charing Cross moments before the smoke started filling the carriages. Two people had to be taken to hospital after the fire broke out causing grey smoke to billow from the train.
Witnesses described seeing people frozen in fear while many others started rushing to escalators to get to ground level. However, others said the panic amounted to people tapping their Oyster cards as they left the station so they weren’t overcharged. It is believed that an electrical fault was to blame for the fire and a ‘comprehensive investigation’ is to take place.

The driver reassured everyone and called for calm after the train stopped when the emergency alarm was pulled in the tunnel before proceeding to Oxford Station. When the train pulled in they were evacuated and smoke quickly started filling the station. TfL staff were giving out bottles of water to people as they left the platform.
Nigel Holness, London Underground’s director of network operations, said: ‘The cause of the smoke was an electrical fault under one of the carriages, which resulted in a small fire that was quickly extinguished. Understandably this was a distressing incident for our customers, for which I give my sincere apologies.
‘A comprehensive investigation into how this incident could have occurred is now under way.