Huge fire breaks out near Elephant and Castle station in South London

A huge blaze which has broken out in Elephant and Castle in south London is believed to have started at some garages close to the train station, the London Fire Brigade has said.

A spokeswoman for the service said that the blaze was first reported at 1.43pm on Monday and that 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters are at the scene.

The LFB said the nearby train station has been closed.

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.

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.”

London Fire Brigade is tackling a blaze in Elephant and Castle, south London.

The fire appears to have started beneath railway arches near the station and a huge plume of smoke can be seen billowing above the area.

In a tweet, the fire brigade said: “We have 10 fire engines & 70 firefighters attending & have taken nearly fifty 999 calls. Please avoid the area.”

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.

A TFL spokesman said the fire occurred close to the station on Monday afternoon, and that the entrance to the Northern Line cannot be accessed.

Large plumes of thick, grey smoke is continuing to rise at Elephant and Castle train station in south London after a fire broke out on Monday afternoon.

Dozens of firefighters and police officers are on the scene.

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.

A restaurant worker close to Elephant and Castle station said she was evacuated after the fire broke out.

Alex Leckie, 30, assistant manager at Tupi, said: “The entire building was evacuated, we began to smell smoke and the store owner went to check, we saw smoke billowing out and what I’m told is the mechanics were on fire, the smoke pillar started enveloping the apartment blocks as well and we kept hearing intermittent bangs.

“The police have indicated it could be some time (until they are allowed back inside). They have repeatedly pushed the crowds back even from the Castle Square Park and cordoned off the roads, there is a very, very heavy presence.

“At this point emergency crews have everyone well clear of the area.”