Breaking News: Huge fire at Elephant and Castle

A serious fire has broken out in Elephant and Castle.

A huge amount of smoke can be seen coming from near the train station. The fire appears to have started shortly before 2pm this afternoon (June 28).

Seventy firefighters and ten engines are tackling the blaze, which is believed to have started in arches underneath the station.

At least ten police cars and a number of ambulances were also seen racing towards the cordon.

London Fire Brigade has told residents to keep all windows and doors closed, and warned others to avoid travelling through the area.

In a video, taken from the sixteenth floor of a nearby block, plumes of black smoke can be seen billowing from the tracks.

In another, a huge fireball bursts from a unit under the arches.

As yet there is no information on any injuries.

In a statement, a Met said the fire was not believed to be terror related.

A spokesperson said: “Police were called at approximately 13:47hrs in response to a fire on Elephant Road, SE17.

“Officers and the London Ambulance Service are supporting London Fire Brigade at the scene.

“There are significant road closures in place and the public are advised to avoid the area.

“The station has been evacuated and residential evacuations are taking now place.

“At this early stage, the incident is not believed to be terror related.”

New Kent Road is currently closed both ways as a huge operation is underway to cordon off the area and evacuate nearby buildings.

The Northern line is not stopping at the station, Network Rail has advised trains will be cancelled or delayed until at least 8pm tonight.

Thameslink says its services between Sevenoaks and Blackfriars are diverting to Victoria after Denmark Hill.

Southwark Council says it is supporting London Fire Brigade and will update residents when it has more information.

In the meantime, Southwark Playhouse has thrown open its doors to anyone in need of refuge.

Huge amount of smoke at Elephant and Castle station. @se1 pic.twitter.com/vE424GVtWP

— Peter Claydon (@PeterClaydon) June 28, 2021

Early video from the scene of the blaze at railway arches in #ElephantCastle. We have 10 fire engines & 70 firefighters attending & have taken nearly fifty 999 calls. Please avoid the area https://t.co/L6NNuDfThB

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 28, 2021

We are aware of the fire at Elephant and Castle and we hope everyone is OK.

If you’ve been evacuated and need somewhere to go our door is open for you to charge your phone, have some water or take a seat in our bar. We are 77-85 Newington Causeway – two minutes from the station.

— Southwark Playhouse (@swkplay) June 28, 2021

We are aware of a serious fire in the Elephant and Castle area, and we are in touch with the London Fire Brigade who are on the scene. We will support the response and will update as soon as we know more.

— Southwark Council (@lb_southwark) June 28, 2021

A spokesperson for Elephant and Castle town centre, the regenerated development site forming part of the station and empty shopping centre, told the News: “We are aware of the serious incident at Elephant and Castle this afternoon, which we understand originated in a railway arch unit adjacent to, but not forming part of, our development site.

“As a precaution all of the residents in our Elephant Central building and operatives on the development site have been evacuated and we will continue to support the emergency services and other first responders wherever possible.”

Emergency services at the cordon