Police and firefighters were called to a building on London Road in Leicester city centre on Saturday after a strange smell was noticed, with all lanes temporarily closedTom Mack and Emma O’Neill Content Editor
11:10, 15 Feb 2026Updated 11:14, 15 Feb 2026
The hazardous materials team were on the scene(Image: Leicester Media Online)
Emergency services shut down part of London Road in Leicester city centre after reports of an unusual smell emanating from a building.
Leicestershire Police arrived first at the premises, which houses restaurants at ground level, before calling in the Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection team from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service at approximately 3pm on Saturday (February 14).
All traffic lanes on London Road near Victoria Park were temporarily shut whilst officers searched the building.
The fire service posted an update on social media at 4.30pm stating: “Update to incident on London Road, Leicester. Incident is coming to a close and scaling down, there were no injuries. Road will be open shortly.”
The road was fully reopened and police cordons lifted by 5.40pm, reports Leicestershire Live.
All four lanes of London Road were initially closed off to traffic after the incident began at about 3pm(Image: Leicester Media Online)
A fire service spokesperson confirmed today (Sunday, February 15) that investigators discovered nothing hazardous inside the building.
This incident comes days after the hazardous materials team was called out on Wednesday (February 11). Around 1pm that afternoon, emergency services closed Baxter Gate in Loughborough town centre following concerns about a “hazardous substance” at a restaurant which later proved to be salt.
Throughout that incident, residents in surrounding buildings were advised to keep doors and windows shut and remain inside.
Following the Loughborough incident, Leicestershire Police arrested a 29 year old man on suspicion of making a hoax call. He has been released on bail.