A police station in east London went up in flames, with thick black smoke billowing in the air, prompting nearby residents to close their windows.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) were called to the scene at 4.17pm after a fire broke out on the roof of the Metropolitan Police Station in Romford Road, Forestgate, near Stratford, early this afternoon.
The road was closed to traffic as 30 fire engines and around 175 firefighters battled the blaze.
Ten more engines joined the 20 engines that had been on the scene about two hours earlier, and an additional 50 firefighters joined in the meantime.
LFB said the cause of the fire is not yet known.
“The roof of the police station has been completely destroyed,” a statement on the brigade’s website said.
“The fire is producing a large amount of smoke and local residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.”
“Roads are closed and people are advised to avoid the area while the incident is ongoing.”
It continued: “Three of the brigade’s 32 meter turntable ladders and one of the brigade’s 64 meter turntable ladders are on site.”
“The brigade was called out at 16:17. Firefighters from Stratford, Leytonstone, Plaistow and surrounding fire stations are on the scene.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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