Around 100 firefighters battle ‘huge fireball’ near Elephant and Castle station

A huge fire has broken out near Elephant and Castle train station after an explosion at commercial units nearby.

Dramatic photographs have flooded social media as the incident was unfolding.

A massive plume of black smoke could be seen rising across the capital’s skyline.

Ten fire engines and around 100 firefighters are on scene to tackle to blaze.

Three commercial units underneath the railway arches are completely alight and four cars and a telephone box are also alight near Elephant and Castle Railway Station.

The incident is not believed to be terror related.

London Fire Brigade have urged Londoners to avoid the area as they attended the scene.

Three commercial units underneath the railway arches are completely alight and four cars and a telephone box are also alight near #ElephantandCastle Railway Station. Road closures are in place and people are advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed pic.twitter.com/yALJKnVd8d

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 28, 2021

Road closures are in place and people are advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed.

They tweeted: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are attending a fire at railway arches near to #ElephantCastle railway station.

“Please avoid the area and close all doors and windows.”

“Three commercial units underneath the railway arches are completely alight and four cars and a telephone box are also alight near #ElephantandCastle Railway Station.

“Road closures are in place and people are advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed.”

Um London wtf is going on?! pic.twitter.com/wbPMdpNijF

— Matthew James Lister (@MrMattLister) June 28, 2021

Southwark Playhouse have offered to take anyone in who has been evacuated from the fire.

The local theatre wrote on Twitter: “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.”

The next-door site is currently being redeveloped for almost 1,000 flats by builders Delancey, who are currently demolishing the nearby 55-year-old Elephant & Castle shopping centre.

A spokesperson from Elephant and Castle Town Centre said: “We are aware of the serious incident at Elephant and Castle this afternoon, which we understand originated in a railway arch unit adjacent to, but not forming part of, our development site.

“As a precaution all of the residents in our Elephant Central building, Castle Square retailers and operatives on the development site have been evacuated and we will continue to support the emergency services and other first responders wherever possible.”

Basil Jackson from Vemco Consulting, a specialist engineering consultants, said: “Anyone near the area should stay as far away as possible and remain calm.

“For those living in the surrounding areas, we suggest closing all windows and doors to your home or office.

“This will help prevent any harmful fumes entering your home or workplace during this time.“

“Furthermore, if you are outside, we recommend wearing a mask when passing through in order to reduce your chances of inhaling smoke.

“If you have inhaled any of the air pollutants and have symptoms such as watery eyes, throat irritation, shortness of breath or headaches, and dizziness please consult your nearest physician.”

3.53pm:

The fire is now under control.

Firefighters will remain at the scene for the next few hours to dampen down the scene.

Road closures are still in place in the area.