Central London was on lockdown this afternoon

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Employees streamed from offices on London Wall, near Moorgate tube station, as police and firefighters descended on the scene and sealed it off.

Amid the panic there were early reports from eyewitnesses of a bombscare, but London firefighters later confirmed the incident was in fact a gas leak.

People described the eerie scene as like a "ghost town" as firefighters with specialist equipment went into the office complex to make sure that it was safe.

Nearby businesses were evacuated over fears the leak, which occurred at around 4pm, could cause an explosion.

The busy road, which runs close to both Moorgate and Liverpool Street stations and the Barbican theatre, is usually packed with office workers making their way home.

Eyewitness Aniel Patel said: "Security personnel are doing a good job keeping people safe."

A City of London Police spokesman said the majority of London Wall was closed and officers had started evacuating nearby buildings from 4pm.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said the alarm was raised a 3.56pm, and that fire crews were on scene dealing with the leak.