London's Theatreland back in business after gas explosion in legendary Soho strip club paralysed the West End just minutes before curtain up
- Police blocked off roads in Soho because of a 'gas or electricity explosion'
- Buildings in the area were evacuated after the rush hour blast at about 5.30pm
- Officers were called to an explosion in the men's toilets at the Windmill strip club
- The venue was reportedly the first to show live nude women in London and was the inspiration for the musical Mrs Henderson Presents
Parts of London's busy West End were evacuated after a 'gas or electricity explosion' at the city's oldest strip club.
Emergency services blocked several roads in Soho, including Shaftesbury Avenue, after the blast in the men's toilets at the legendary Windmill club at about 5.30pm.
Transport for London confirmed that the area, which is extremely popular with tourists and theatre-goers, was closed off due to 'a fire and explosion'.
Scroll down for video
Parts of London 's busy West End were evacuated after a 'gas or electricity explosion' at the city's oldest strip club
Emergency services have blocked off roads in Soho after the blast at about 5.30pm. Buildings in Rupert Street (pictured) were evacuated
Share this article
Iolo Jones, 52, from Reading, said he was just feet away from the explosion.
The business manager told MailOnline: 'I'd been to a meeting in Soho and was on my way to the tube. It was a bang. I'd guess an electrical explosion.
'I was literally two feet from where the paving came up. Gas would have caused a lot more damage.
No-one is reported to have been injured and the incident is not being treated as terror-related
'There was a young woman actually standing in that doorway, but she was unhurt.
'There was a bar opposite with people drinking outside but only the young woman and I were very close to the explosion. The doorman cleared people away.'
The Windmill table dancing bar is on the corner of Great Windmill Street and Archer Street and adjacent to the Apollo and Lyric Theatres.
A police spokesman said officers and firefighters were assessing the scene in Archer Street
'Police were called to reports of an explosion at a building in Archer Street. Officers and the London Fire Brigade are currently at the scene
The Windmill (left) was said to have been inspired by the Moulin Rouge in Paris and opened in the 1931. Iolo Jones, 52, from Reading, said he was just feet away from the explosion (right) as he walked past the club
It is also minutes away from Leicester Square. The venue is said to have been inspired by the Moulin Rouge in Paris and opened in the 1931.
It was also the inspiration for the musical Mrs Henderson Presents and was reportedly the first place to show live nude women in London.
The Windmill's website describes it as 'London’s original and best Gentlemen’s club' where customers will be 'delighted and mesmerised'.
A police spokesman said officers and firefighters were assessing the scene in Archer Street.
The venue was the inspiration for the musical Mrs Henderson Presents and was reportedly the first place to show live nude women in London
Transport for London confirmed that the area, which extremely popular with tourists and theatre-goers, was closed off due to 'a fire and gas explosion
He added: 'Police were called to reports of a small explosion at premises in Archer Street, W1.
'At this stage there are no reported injuries. The explosion has caused some damage to the pavement outside the building.
'Local road closures are in place while the LFB assess the scene. Pedestrians and motorists are advised to avoid the area.'
The explosion has caused some damage to the pavement outside the building (pictured)
Pedestrians and motorists are advised to avoid the area. Local road closures are in place while the LFB assess the scene.
The explosion is not being treated as terrorist related.
Stephen MacDonald tweeted: 'OMG just had a gas explosion go off next to us in Soho!'
Nick Edell added: 'Explosion on Rupert Street and the office has been evacuated.'
Most watched News videos
- New video shows Epstein laughing and chasing young women
- British Airways passengers turn flight into a church service
- Epstein describes himself as a 'tier one' sexual predator
- Skier dressed as Chewbacca brutally beaten in mass brawl
- Two schoolboys plummet out the window of a moving bus
- Buddhist monks in Thailand caught with a stash of porn
- Melinda Gates says Bill Gates must answer questions about Epstein
- Police dog catches bag thief who pushed woman to the floor
- Holly Valance is shut down by GB News for using slur
- JD Vance turns up heat on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
- China unveils 'Star Wars' warship that can deploy unmanned jets
- Sarah Ferguson 'took Princesses' to see Epstein after prison
