A HUGE blaze has broken out at Elephant and Castle underground station in south London.
The fire is believed to have started at nearby garages, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.
A spokeswoman for the service announced that the blaze was first reported at 1.43pm and that 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters are at the scene.
It is now understood that LFB had the blaze under control shortly before 4pm today.
In a tweet, the service said: “The fire in #elephantandcastle 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.”
Police officers have taped off Walworth Road, leading up to the station’s entrance on Elephant Road.
Police at the scene told PA the smoke was coming from the train station rather than the tube station.
The Metropolitan Police also said a number of evacuations took place.
A statement said: “Police were called at approximately 13:47hrs in response to a fire on Elephant Road, SE17.
“Officers and the London Ambulance Service are supporting London Fire Brigade at the scene.
“There are significant road closures in place and the public are advised to avoid the area.
“The station has been evacuated and residential evacuations are taking place.
“At this early stage, the incident is not believed to be terror related.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said a member of the public and a police officer were being treated for smoke inhalation.
“My thoughts are with all those affected by the very serious fire in Elephant and Castle. I am in close contact with the Fire Commissioner,” he said.
“I want to thank our brave emergency services – the London Fire Brigade, Met Police, London Ambulance Service and British Transport Police, who acted quickly to ensure both residents and passengers at the nearby station were safely evacuated.
“The fire is now under control. Two people, one police officer and one member of the public, are being treated for smoke inhalation. I wish them and others affected a speedy recovery.
“I urge the public to avoid the area whilst our firefighters and emergency services continue their work in the area. There are significant road closures in place and the Tube station is shut.
“If you live nearby, please follow the advice from London Fire Brigade and close all doors and windows.”
A statement from LFB regarding the number of firefighters at the scene stated: “Fifteen engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire near Elephant and Castle Railway Station.
“Three commercial units underneath the railway arches are completely alight and six cars and a telephone box are also alight."
Early video from the scene of the blaze at railway arches in #ElephantCastle. We have 10 fire engines & 70 firefighters attending & have taken nearly fifty 999 calls. Please avoid the area https://t.co/L6NNuDfThB
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 28, 2021
The fire service tweeted: “We have 10 fire engines & 70 firefighters attending & have taken nearly fifty 999 calls. Please avoid the area.”
Videos on social media show large plumes of smoke appearing to pour from Elephant and Castle station, with one clip showing a small explosion erupt from inside.
#elephantandcastle #fire - what’s going on? This is the view from Hurlock Heights Elephant Park pic.twitter.com/Z4UFEVsXPv
— Sara (@sarascarpashoe) June 28, 2021
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.”
This will cause disruption to the following trains:
— Thameslink (@TLRailUK) June 28, 2021
🚊Between St. Albans and Sutton
🚊 Between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks
ℹ️ You will have to use an alternative route to complete your journey and you should allow plenty of extra time to complete your journey.
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 tweeted: “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.”
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