Firefighters are responding to a large blaze in Beckenham, with thick plumes of smoke visible from miles away.
Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters were called to a fire in a disused kebab shop building next to the Odeon cinema on Beckenham High Street.
A London Ambulance Service were called at 8.06am today and a spokesperson said: “We sent an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer and our Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.
“We are still at the scene alongside colleagues from London Fire Brigade. So far there have been no patients for us to treat.”
Drivers are urged to avoid the area as roads nearby have been affected by major disruption during rush hour.
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade (LFB) said: “As of 9.20am, half of the roof of a mixed-use building, currently under refurbishment, remains alight. The second and first floors of the building are also partially alight.
“Firefighters are working hard to prevent the spread of the fire to adjoining buildings, including a cinema. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The fire is producing a significant amount of smoke and we are advising people in the area to keep their windows and doors closed at this time.
“The incident is causing major traffic disruption in Beckenham and we are asking people to avoid travelling through the area whilst the incident remains ongoing, as road closures are in place.”
Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Bromley Council, said: “Seeing a fire so close to the Beckenham Odeon is heartbreaking for the whole community. We are thankful to the firefighters for their swift response and sincerely hope no one has been injured.”
LFB received the first of 18 calls at 7.59am and crews were sent from Beckenham, Bromley, Woodside, Forest Hill and surrounding fire stations to the scene. They also brought a 32-metre turntable ladder from Forest Hill.
