King’s Cross station reopened after “Mr Sands” alert and evacuation over false alarm
King's Cross station was reopened after being evacuated this morning over an emergency alert.
Commuters reported being evacuated from the Underground during rush hour today following a tannoy announcement for "Mr Sands".
That is the code to alert staff and services including the police and London Fire Brigade to an emergency such as a fire. It's a long-standing code, first used in theatres where sand buckets were used to put fires out without alarming performers or audiences.
Tube trains did not at the Underground station for the duration of the alert.
But firefighters for the London Fire Brigade quickly discovered it was a false alarm, and the station was reopened within a relatively short period.
Heard a "Mr Sands" announcement then a few minutes later got evacuated from #KingsCross station.
— Alex Ayling (@alexjayling) January 13, 2016
Inspector Sands is at Kings Cross. Everybody out. #KingsCross.
— Mark Robins (@Markisskill) January 13, 2016
Train didn't stop at #KingsCross because it's currently being evacuated … What's going on? #tfl #london
— Andrea Willoughby (@lilchinacup) January 13, 2016
Possible fire at #kingscross station, morning commute mayhem!
— Mariam Adam (@ItMaybeMariam) January 13, 2016
evacuation of Kings cross station. What's happening? #kingscross #emergency
— Elisa (@elisaazogui) January 13, 2016
Transport for London tweeted that the station was being evacuated while it investigated a fire alert.
https://twitter.com/TfLTravelAlerts/status/687195402530107392
Earlier this morning, Hammersmith & City and Circle Lines were part suspended because of a signal failure at King's Cross.