A dramatic blaze which tore through a building site in London’s West End, prompting fears of an explosion, has been brought under control by firefighters.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it was called to reports of a fire at 12.45pm on Great Portland Street, where officers were still establishing the situation.
The road is close to Oxford Street – the capital’s busiest shopping hub.
We have 10 fire engines & 50 firefighters tackling this blaze on Great Portland Street #W1. We’ve received over forty 999 calls to it. More soon https://t.co/PKSIcOwBLN
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) February 17, 2018
Firefighters sprayed water at the building, which neighbours said is being converted into flats by developers.
Nearby, residents stood behind a police cordon waiting to be allowed back into their homes.
Calls to the fire service had suggested that the fire had either broken out close to or in a building site, an LFB spokesman said.
Came out of Broadcasting House in London to see this fire down the road. The fire service have just arrived. pic.twitter.com/mHmrCe0Q32
— Mike Holt (@MikeHolt12) February 17, 2018
Footage of the scene showed thick smoke and flames leaping up a scaffold structure surrounding the site.
No-one was injured in the fire, Scotland Yard confirmed.
A spokesman for the LFB said the fire was officially declared under control at 1.45pm.
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