A large fire broke out in central London sending smoke billowing across the skyline.
London Fire Brigade said around six fire engines and 40 firefighters have been tackling a fire at a mixed use building on Tottenham Street near Goodge Street station.
Most of the ground floor was damaged by the blaze that broke out shortly before 7.45am in a mixed use building, the LFB said.
One man was rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using a fire escape hood to protect them from dangerous fumes and was taken to hospital.
A team from LFB Fire Investigation unit remained at the scene, along with the Met Police. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
In an updated statement, the LFB said: “Control Officers took the first of 14 calls at 07.43 and mobilised crews from Soho, Euston, Islington and surrounding fire stations to the scene.”
Residents described being evacuating from flats in the street at around 7.30am after the alarm was raised, “We don’t know what the cause of the fire is,’ one said.
One local resident described a sharp, acidic smell coming from the area.
Another person said: “The whole of Clerkenwell smells absolutely horrendous this morning. I don't even know where to begin describing the smell but hands were covering mouths and noses all around.”
People were urged to avoid the area as firefighters tackled the blaze, while local residents were told to keep windows and doors closed to avoid the smoke.
Minister Revd Jennifer Mills-Knutsen from a nearby church was offering those evacuated from a salon on the street a place to sit.
She said: “These are our neighbours so we are trying to make sure they have what they need to sit down and charge their phone and check in on our neighbours”
“Tottenham Court Road is always a busy area with lots of things happening but it is a mixture of residents and businesses and neighbours so it’s important that we all stay connected. People see the businesses and they see the public face but they forget that residents live here.”
A LFB spokesperson said earlier: “Half of the ground floor is alight.
“One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders is being used at the scene to help fight the fire from above.
“Control Officers took the first of 14 calls at 0743 and mobilised crews from Soho, Euston, Islington and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known.”
The London Fire Brigade later said the incident was over for firefighters at 9.36am.
The LFB explained that a fire escape hood - that was used during the rescue- provides members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein.
If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.
