Residents evacuated from a Vauxhall street feared an explosion as a major gas leak hit a doctor’s surgery.
A cordon remains around the eye surgery in Jonathan Street as firefighters and police support gas specialists hunting for the source of the leak.
Meanwhile dozens of families have been forced out if their homes and are being given shelter in local churches and community centres.
A policeman at the scene said: “As I understand it they are still trying to find the source of the leak so no one can go back at the moment.”
Callum Jones, 24, a student who lives on the street said: “The smell of gas was overpowering, I thought there could be an explosion, the air was thick with gas.
“I’ve been evacuated which is a pain but at least we are safe. I don’t have children so it’s easier for us.”
Peter Constantides, 48, said: “I was working from home and got a whiff of what was unmistakably gas. A lot of people phoned the energy services and they came and said ‘get out as quick as you can’, it was quite a shock. But we just grabbed a few essentials and legged it.”
Mum of two Tara Hemscott, 29, said: “It’s a bit of a nightmare my youngest was at home so I bundled her up. We are staying with friends, people have been kind. We just want to get back in. It was all action stations for a while.”
A respite centre has been set up at Hope Church on Tyers Street for anyone displaced from their home.
Two people have been assessed by London Ambulance Service crews at the scene.
A number of road closures are in place including Jonathan Street and surrounding roads.
Fire crews are working alongside Metropolitan Police and Lambeth Council to make the scene safe, LFB said.
Firefighters from Lambeth and Soho fire stations remain at the scene.
Lambeth Council said it is supporting residents affected by the gas leak.
Councillor Dr Mahamed Hashi, Lambeth's Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: "We are working to support impacted residents who need our help alongside the fire brigade and the police.
"We will continue providing this support until its safe for people to go back to their homes."
Lambeth Police said: "A number of residents have been evacuated as a precaution while engineers work to resolve the situation.
"Police continue to work with partners, including the local authority, while the situation remains ongoing."
Vauxhall Surgery has been approached for comment.
