The flares are reported to have set off fire alarms at the station
London’s King’s Cross Station has been closed and evacuated after England fans set off flares outside ahead of the Euro 2020 final.
Metro reports that the white and red smoke let off by the flares set off fire alarms at the station, which triggered the alert to evacuate the stadium.
Passengers had been advised to replan their journey. The station has now reopened though.
The station’s Twitter account tweeted: “Services are expected to be busy today as fans head to #Wembley for the England v Italy Euro 2020 Final.
“Please check your journey via @nationalrailenq and allow plenty of time.”
⚽ Services are expected to be busy today as fans head to #Wembley for the England v Italy Euro 2020 Final ⚽
🚉 Please check your journey via @nationalrailenq and allow plenty of time #EnglandvItaly pic.twitter.com/UdTeRCtwMu
— Network Rail East Coast (@NetworkRailEC) July 11, 2021
British Transport Police said that they received reports of an incident at 12.40pm and the station was reopened at 1.07pm.
https://twitter.com/CorrynElise/status/1414194728535461890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1414194728535461890%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmetro.co.uk%2F2021%2F07%2F11%2Fkings-cross-station-closed-after-england-fans-set-off-flares-ahead-of-match-14908380%2F
Scenes at King’s Cross – loads of #England fans setting off flares that lead to smoke alarms going off triggering evacuation of the station! This is at least 8 hours before kick off.. 😳 #ENGvITA #Euro2021 #Euro2020Final pic.twitter.com/vpW1iVsF78
— Sam👨⚕️🩺 (@DocsDoItBetter) July 11, 2021
The atmosphere is ramping up in London, with fans gathering across the capital ahead of England’s historic clash this evening.
Videos shared online show fans chanting and singing in Leicester Square, whilst some climbed on top of a bus.
https://twitter.com/NewsForAllUK/status/1414206908219658241
My god Leicester Square right now pic.twitter.com/1b5UhObBAB
— Michael Timbs (@MichaelTimbs) July 11, 2021
And as you’d expect, there are already massive queues outside pubs across the land as fans look to make sure that they are suitably hydrated ahead of kick off.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has said in a report that it expects £180 million to be spent in hospitality venues on Sunday. It is estimated that by the time the European Championships are over, £815 million will have been spent in pubs and bars, with 322.6 million pints purchased by punters.