Six people were injured and several buildings evacuated after a fire caused a huge plume of smoke to billow into the sky above south London.
About 100 firefighters battled the blaze at some railway arches near Elephant and Castle station.
Fire crews were called shortly before 13:45 BST and local residents reported hearing a number of explosions.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said three commercial units were alight along with six cars and a telephone box.
London Ambulance Service said it had treated six people at the scene, with one of those taken to hospital.
A police officer was among those who needed treatment for the effects of smoke inhalation, according to the mayor of London.
People living in the area were warned to keep doors and windows closed and trains are not expected to run through Elephant and Castle for the rest of the day.
Fifteen fire engines were called to the scene, with the fire thought to have started in some garages close to the railway station.
Five people had escaped before fire crews arrived, LFB said.
Anthony King told the BBC he was about to catch his train home when he saw smoke coming out of a car mechanics and “after about five to six minutes, canisters went up”.
The 51-year-old said the fire then spread to the adjoining arches and “there was acrid smoke going up as high as the new towers”.
The blaze was under control shortly after 15:30 but LFB said firefighters would remain at the scene for a few hours to dampen down the scene.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
The Met said that “significant road closures” were put in place and people were advised to avoid the area.
London mayor Sadiq Khan praised the emergency services, who he said had acted quickly to ensure both local residents and passengers at Elephant and Castle station were safely evacuated.
Source-BBC
