The huge shopping centre in east London was evacuated this afternoon when an emergency alarm sounded. Video footage circulating on social media shows large crowds gathered around the entrance as security directs them. Shoppers flooded to social media to describe the chaotic scenes.

       Twitter user lima (@limashaqalacaan) wrote: "Just left Westfield because there was a fire evacuation.

       "That was so scary my gosh.

       "I really hope everyone is okay."

       Horus Oryz (@ZyroGG) said: "Fire at Westfield. Everyone has been evacuated."

       JsPooky Ghost (@JPCymro) tweeted: "Great now Westfield shopping centre is being evacuated."

       Heather Bradbury (@hevabradbury) posted a video showing a large group of shoppers being directed to the exits of the shopping centre.

       She added: "Whole of Westfield Stratford just been evacuated."

       Express.co.uk has contacted the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police for comment.

       Last week, hundreds of people evacuated the shopping centre after reports of a fire on the first floor.

       Around 60 firefighters and eight fire engines rushed to the scene.

       The London Fire Brigade had tweeted: "Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters have been called to a small fire within a retail unit in a shopping centre on Montifichet Road in Stratford."

       A Metropolitan Police spokesman had also said: "We are supporting London Fire Brigade with evacuation of the Westfield Shopping Centre in Newham following reports of a fire."

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