Around 400 people were evacuated Thursday afternoon (August 15) after a mains gas leak was reported on Beddington Lane, near Croydon.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the Metropolitan Police both confirmed their attendance at the scene as emergency response crews worked to make the area safe.

The leak was initially reported around 12.20pm on Thursday, but at 3.20pm LFB said their teams were still working to stop the leak.

A spokesperson for LFB told the Guardian that "around 400" people had been evacuated in the immediate area.

"We were called at 12.26pm.

"A main gas pipe has ruptured, which has caused a large gas leak.

"Around 400 people have been evacuated from the local area.

"We have six fire engines there and firefighters are carrying out chemical sweeps to see what the levels of gas are in the area.

"We are also working with gas engineers to identify the leak and that work remains ongoing," the LFB spokesperson said.

They also advised people who might be travelling nearby to avoid the immediate area.

The Metropolitan Police meanwhile worked with the LFB crews to established a cordon around the impacted exclusion zone.

A spokesperson for Sutton MPS said:

"Emergency services with Sutton Council are responding to a gas leak in Beddington Lane, Beddington.

"There is currently a 200 metre exclusion zone in place with road closure and travel disruption in the area.

"Make other travel arrangements and avoid the area if you can," a spokesperson said on Twitter.

Sutton MPS added a later update around 3pm confirming the evacuation of several building near to the leak and reiterated their advice to stay away from the area.

"Police and the utility services are dealing with a gas leak in Beddington Lane #Beddington.

"A 200-metre exclusion zone is in place and some buildings have been evacuated – please avoid the area," Sutton MPS said.