Terrified commuters have ‘run for their lives’ after an explosion on a London Underground train this morning.
People fled in panic after a ‘fireball’ reportedly left several passengers with facial burns on the packed train in Parsons Green, west London.
Pictures from the District Line train show a burning plastic bucket stashed in a Lidl carrier bag, which is said to have exploded and sent a fireball down the carriage.
A photograph of the flaming white bucket taken just after it exploded shows a number of wires protruding out of the top and on to the train carriage floor – but police have not yet confirmed if it was a bomb.
Horrified witnesses on social media claim people are ‘screaming and running off trains’.
A Twitter user called Rigs tweeted: ‘Explosion on Parsons Green district line train. Fireball flew down carriage and we just jumped out open door.’
Photographs on social media appear to show a bucket alight on the underground train
Pictures from the District Line train appear to show a burning plastic bucket stashed in a Lidl carrier bag, which is said to have exploded
Emma Stevie tweeted: ‘I’m safe – just had to run for my life at #ParsonsGreen station – huge stamped, lots injured. Not sure why – fire/explosion mentioned.’
Ben Lee wrote: ‘Just been evacuated at #parsonsgreen – panic from rearmost carriage – pax saw smoke but NO injuries’
Another social media user said: ‘what’s happening at Parsons Green, panic on the platform reports of fire or explosion in a bag. No announcements.’
Emergency services are at the scene in west London with early reports suggesting several people are injured.
As Facebook and Twitter was swamped with claims the incident was terror attack, Scotland Yard tweeted at 8.51am: ‘We are aware of reports on social media RE #ParsonsGreen. We will release facts when we can – our info must be accurate’.
A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: ‘We were called at 8.21am and we have information there was a fire on a train eastbound at the platform at Parsons Green.
‘We have got two fire engines there.’
Images from the scene show emergency services and armed police
The Met Police tweeted: ‘We are aware of an incident at Parsons Green station. Officers are in attendance. More info ASAP.’
The London Ambulance Service also says it is on the scene, tweeting: ‘We are on scene alongside the Met Police at Parsons Green. More information to follow.’
People fled the Underground station in panic, amid reports there was an explosion