Huge plumes of smoke have been spotted coming from a five-bedroom house in south London that left a police officer injured.
The officer is being treated in hospital for for burn injuries not believed to be life-threatening after attending the scene of the fire at a third-floor flat in New Cross, Lewisham.
Police reported to the scene on Batavia Mews at about 1:30 and heard an explosion upon entering the premises.
Four engines and 25 firefighters are currently at the scene of the fire at the third-floor flat in Lewisham.
A man, aged 40, was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and GBH at the scene.
Dramatic footage posted on social media shows billowing smoke filling the skies while one local resident said she "thinks a bomb exploded in front of my building".
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The blaze broke out at a flat above a shop, and the cause of it is yet unknown.
The incident is at this stage not thought to be terror-related, Lewisham MPs said on Twitter.
They said "most of a five-roomed flat on the third floor of the building is alight" as crews work to extinguish the fire.
Fire crews from New Cross, Deptford, Old Kent Road and Lewisham fire stations are at the scene.
Lewisham MPs said as a result of the incident New Cross Road from Maquis of Granby up to Sainsbury's petrol station will be closed in both directions.
"Further updates will follow, motorists to avoid the area. Thank you," they added on Twitter.
