Cordon off

A portion of the office was cordoned off during the outsiders' tour.

The police cordoned off the street while they investigated the accident.

Part of No. 10 platform at Kings Cross was cordoned off on August 23 after a container of radio-active material had fallen from a trolley. The special box in which it was packed split open, allowing the container to fall out.

Moorgate itself was another story. Here, the area was humming with activity. The entire street had been cordoned off. Fire engines, police vehicles, and ambulances were coming and going, and emergency personnel were hurrying around.