Holborn station reopens after being closed due to fire alert
Holborn station has reopened after being evacuated and closed due to a fire alert earlier this afternoon.
The London Fire Brigade was called to the central London station this afternoon after reports of smoke, but a spokesperson said the fire crew sent to the scene had not found any sign of a fire.
https://twitter.com/piccadillyline/status/803608156433694720
Witnesses said the Tube station's fire alarm went off, then passengers were evacuated.
Update: Fire alarm went off, but no fire at Holborn station. People evacuated as a precaution.
— Sandy Rashty (@SandyRashty) November 29, 2016
Fire crew arrive at London's Holborn Station, following an emergency evacuation pic.twitter.com/9zR1MC5yEt
— George Maier (@GeorgeMaier) November 29, 2016
The fire alert could compound already severe delays Piccadilly Line passengers are facing due to a shortage of trains. Around half the Piccadilly Line fleet is out of service at the moment for repairs.
Yesterday, the RMT union called for the line to be closed completely until the trains are all fixed, and also said the 16 December start date for Piccadilly Line Night Tube services should be postponed. RMT said it had been told "the problem could take weeks to fix properly".
Tony Matthews, general manager for the Piccadilly Line, said: "We're working around the clock to fix the trains so that we can return to a good service as quickly as possible."