People started to panic when they realised they could not get out Police officer Karen Tokins

Fifteen people were taken to the nearby Middlesex Hospital and seven London Transport workers were treated at the scene, but later rejoined the rescue operation.

All were suffering from the effects of the smoke which had filled many miles of the tunnels.

Police officer Karen Tokins was travelling to work when the fire broke out.

"There was thick black smoke pouring down and blocking the escalators - people started to panic when they realised they could not get out," she said.

A fire service spokesman said the blaze had destroyed an empty train, burnt out a crossing point between the Victoria and Bakerloo lines and badly damaged three miles of tunnelling.

"We have been very fortunate to have got away with so few injuries and deaths," he said.

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