COPS were forced to evacuate a North London Tube station after a power drill battery explosion sparked a mass panic at the height of evening rush-hour.

Locals were told to stay inside after emergency services and sniffer dogs swarmed Southgate Tube Station shortly before 8pm.

6 One commuter was rushed to hospital on a stretcher

One witness told The Sun how she heard a "massive bang" as she left the station.

She said: "It was a really loud noise. I was on the top of the escalator and there was this massive bang.

"Everyone was like: 'What was that?'. Then I heard people screaming. By that point I had stepped off the escalator and was going to tap out.

"I turned around and the whole of the escalator was in flames. It was all so quick.

6 Cops sealed off Southgate High Street shortly after the blast Credit: Twitter / Darren Yarlett

"There were still a lot of people down there and I started hyperventilating."

Ladbrokes manager Ben Jackson, 27, told how police ordered staff to evacuate.

He said: "We just got out and were pushed back behind the cordon.

"There were about five people being treated outside the station, some were standing, some laying down.

6 Bomb sniffer dogs soon arrived at the station Credit: Twitter / Darren Yarlett

6 Fire crews rushed to the scene shortly after the first reports of an explosion Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Police close street leading to Southgate tube station after 'minor explosion'

"Police were going in with dogs and wearing yellow chem suits so they must have thought it was pretty serious."

One witness told the London Evening Standard that someone was taken out of the station on a stretcher - but cops have not confirmed any injuries.

City worker Darren Yarlett, 36, said: "The police moved us on, but they said there was an explosion in the station.

"There must be around 50 or 60 police, an ambulance, fire arms and dog units."

He added: "I didn't hear anything so don't want to jump to any conclusions but the amount of ambulances would say something has happened."

6 One eyewitness told The Sun how the escalator was 'in flames' Credit: PA:Press Association

One Twitter user shared pictures of police vans on the scene and said: "Stuck in an Indian restaurant opposite Southgate station because of a suspect bomb going off inside (the station).

"Don't know too much except we have been told to stay inside. Suspet9 device found/gone off inside tube. Saw one person coming out on a stretcher."

British Transport Police said: "Officers remain at #Southgate tube station. Enquires are ongoing to establish the cause of a reported minor explosion at 19:03 hours. We are not aware of any serious injury."

"We are currently dealing with an incident at Southgate tube station with Met Police following reports of a suspicious package. More info as we get it."

6 Terrified commuters fled the scene as the station was evacuated

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London Ambulance Service added: "We have treated three patients at the scene for minor injuries and have taken two people to hospital.

"We remain on scene, working with other emergency service colleagues."

British Transport Police said the blast is not believed to be terror-related.

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