Moorgate station: commuters cleared from busy London station after 'fire alert' sparks evacuation

Hundreds of commuters were cleared from Moorgate station at the height of rush hour tonight after it was evacuated because of a small fire.

Travellers were ordered to leave the central London station at around 6pm after a fire alarm was triggered when leaves caught alight on a main line platform.

Police and fire crews remained at the station for about an hour before the station was made safe.

Pictures from witnesses show large crowds of commuters spilling out onto the streets as eyewitnesses described "scary" scenes.

Video taken from inside the station shows people running to exit the station after being ushered out by staff.

The station reopened.about half-an-hour after it was evacuated.

A Transport for London spokeswoman said the station was closed because of a "track fire" in the main line station.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said a small pile of leaves had caught alight which caused the station to be evacuated.

London Fire Brigade said it remained at the station for about an hour before firefighters left shortly after 7pm.