A huge fire has broken out in Elephant and Castle this afternoon.
Thick plumes of smoke can be seen from miles around, rising into the air above the train station in South London.
Advert
It's believed that the fire broke out in some of the garages close to the station.
According to reports, it's not certain as yet whether anyone has been injured but dozens of firefighters are currently at the scene trying to get the blaze, which was first reported at 1.43pm, under control.
Transport for London has confirmed that the train station has been closed.
Advert
London Fire Brigade has deployed 10 fire engines to the area and urged people to stay away until it is safe to do so.
A spokesperson for the LFB told LADbible: "Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters have been called to a fire near Elephant and Castle Railway Station.
"Three commercial units underneath the railway arches are completely alight and four cars and a telephone box are also alight.
"The Brigade was called at 13.43. Fire crews from Old Kent Road, Lambeth, Soho, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
Advert
"The cause of the fire is not known at this time."
Station Commander James Ryan, who is at the scene, said: "There are significant road closures in place and we are asking people to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed whilst firefighters work to bring the fire under control.
"The station and nearby buildings have been evacuated."
Advert
The unit also confirmed they received 44 999 calls regarding the fire this afternoon.
Witnesses took to social media to describe the terrifying scene.
One bystander wrote: "Lots of black smoke, then an explosion and large fireball erupted.
"I'm now engulfed in black smoke so can't see any more."
Advert
Sara Scarpa, 25, lives in nearby apartment building Hurlock Heights and said smoke and the noise of the explosion had reached her window.
"We opened the window for a sec as you could hear people shouting, and we smelt something very very strong," she said.
"The smoke (was) dying down a little... we heard an explosion and now it started again."
Southwark Playhouse invited evacuees and anyone in need of assistance to come to them.
In a tweet, the theatre company said: "We are aware of the fire at Elephant and Castle and we hope everyone is OK.
"If you've been evacuated and need somewhere to go our door is open for you to charge your phone, have some water or take a seat in our bar.
"We are 77-85 Newington Causeway - two minutes from the station."
Thameslink said all lines through Elephant and Castle are currently blocked due to the fire.
Services between St Albans and Sutton and London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks are affected.
Thameslink said in a tweet: "You will have to use an alternative route to complete your journey and you should allow plenty of extra time to complete your journey.
"To help keep you on the move, you can use your ticket on: London buses between London Blackfriars, Denmark Hill and Loughborough Junction, London Underground and Southeastern trains between London Victoria, Peckham Rye, Nunhead and London Bridge to Sevenoaks."
Topics: Fire, Trains, No-Article-Matching, London
