Southgate station explosion: Man arrested after five injured in blast on London Tube

Investigators believe the blast was caused by a faulty drill battery, and was not terror-related

A man has been arrested over an explosion that injured five people at a London Underground station.

British Transport Police said the blast was believed to have been caused by a faulty drill battery.

But 23-year-old man from Enfield has been arrested on suspicion of doing an act likely to cause an explosion to injure or damage property, and endangering safety on the railway.

He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries. Police said the incident was not terror-related.

Officers were called to reports of people running at Southgate Tube station shortly after 7pm on Tuesday.

London Ambulance Service said two people had been taken to hospital and three others were treated at the scene in north London for minor injuries.

A man on a “packed” escalator said some people had been trampled in the commotion.

James Ayton, 34, described a “quick burst” of flames at the top and said everyone “legged it”.

He said there had been a “very rapid whooshing sound”, adding: “A few people got trampled on on the escalator. There was screaming.

“An old woman got trampled on. I had to carry a woman up the stairs. I think she was in shock to be honest. She couldn't walk, shaking.”

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, praised emergency services for “a swift and professional response” to the incident.

The station was closed off following the blast and explosives detection dogs were seen at the scene.

The terror threat in Britain remains at "severe" and security services remain on high alert following an attempted bombing on a London Underground at Parsons Green in September.

Additional reporting by PA