Around 100 firefighters have battled through the early hours to contain a major blaze at a shop on a busy high street in southeast London.
Fifteen fire engines were called to High Street in Penge at around 4.30am following reports of a two-storey terraced shop engulfed in flames.
Dramatic footage shows crews using an aerial platform to douse the fire from above, as flames towered over nearby buildings.
Photos suggest the fire has ripped through a large Poundland store.
Several neighbouring businesses have been evacuated, and local residents have been urged to keep doors and windows closed due to heavy smoke.
The fire was brought under control just before 9am.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Firefighters tackled a fire located in a two storey terraced shop, where a large part of the ground floor was alight. Operations were carried out to contain the fire to the shop, and prevent it spreading to adjacent properties.
“Crews are used a 32-metre turntable ladder as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above, and the Brigade's drone team was deployed to provide the Incident Commander with a greater situational awareness of the fire.
“Around 25 people have been evacuated to a rest centre as a precaution from neighbouring properties, and people in the local area were advised to keep their windows and doors shut due to the smoke. There are no reports of any injuries. There is significant traffic disruption due to the number of appliances and the High Street is closed. People are advised to avoid the area.
“The Brigade's Control Officers took the first of ten calls reporting the fire at 0430. Crews from Beckenham, Forest Hill, Woodside, West Norwood and surrounding fire stations were mobilised to the scene, and firefighters were able to bring the fire under control by 0848. Crews will remain on scene through the day to fully extinguish any remaining hotspots.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade's fire investigators.”
Bromley Council has said it is working to support residents who have been evacuated.
Councillor Angela Page said: “On behalf of local residents we are enormously grateful to the firefighters who have been at the scene of this ferocious fire, with their professional dedication and bravery once again called upon.
“This is a very difficult time for all those in Penge but particularly local residents who have been evacuated because of the fire. We are reaching out to support evacuated residents in what is fast moving and changing situation.”
High Street Penge currently remains closed, with traffic being diverted, with these arrangements in place for some time to come.
