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Armed police descended on Euston Station after it was evacuated due to a bomb scare - which turned out to be an e-cigarette explosion.

The busy north London station was placed on lockdown at around 7.45pm on Tuesday evening, with dozens of police officers seen rushing to the scene.

Huge crowds of people were led out of both the underground and mainline station following a "security alert".

Police later said there had been a small explosion at the station, believed to have been caused by an e-cigarette in a bag. There were no reported injuries.

Witnesses said at around 7.40pm there was “a rush” of people running away from the station and a short while later police began moving people away from the station.

Pubs including the Euston Tap shut its doors and forced people outside and police are continuing to widen the cordon.

One tourist from Auckland, New Zealand, said police told them it was a suspect package as they evacuated the area.

Kurt Shanks, 45, told the Standard: “We only came here for a quick pint, I’m shocked by what’s happened. It’s not what you expect to see.”

Another witness said a large number of officers wearing helmets and body armour have congregated outside the station entrance and appear to be preparing to enter the building.

Kevin Carr was on a train pulling into Euston when the alert was raised.

“The doors opened and was just queuing to get out,” he said.

“Suddenly the driver screams ‘get back on the train, everyone get back on the train. I saw people running up the platforms to get away from the main concourse.

He added: "Two guys jumped onto our carriage who were on concourse at the time and said people were screaming and running to get away.

"According to them there was a smoking bit of baggage on the concourse."

British Transport Police said: "Officers are currently at Euston station responding to a security alert.

"We are investigating but there appears to have been a small contained explosion which is believed to have been caused by an e-cigarette which was in a bag at the station.

"The station is currently evacuated whilst officers and search dogs check the area is safe."

The station was reopened at 9.40pm.