London City Airport evacuated in 'chemical incident'

LONDON -- London City Airport has been evacuated after a fire alarm sounded, and firefighters say they are investigating "reports of a chemical incident."

London Fire Brigade says "around 500 members of the public and staff have been evacuated and there are reports of a number of passengers feeling unwell."

The London Ambulance Service says its hazardous area response team is at the scene.



The airport says passengers were told to leave the terminal Friday afternoon because a fire alarm was sounding. Departing flights were suspended, and several incoming flights diverted to other airports.

The Metropolitan Police force said officers were called to the airport just after 4 p.m. local time "following reports of passengers being taken unwell."

City Airport, in east London's docklands, is the smallest of the British capital's international airports.