Huge blaze breaks out near London train station

A blaze near Elephant and Castle railway station in South London on Monday afternoon was brought under control by about 100 firefighters.

A spokesperson for LFB, or LFB, said "three commercial units underneath the railway arches were completely alight and six cars and a telephone box were also alight".

Video footage shared on social media showed plumes of black smoke billowing into the air.

The London Ambulance Service said six people were treated at the scene and one was taken to hospital.

The alarm was raised at 1.43 pm local time with fire crews from Old Kent Road, Lambeth, Soho, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations attending the scene, with 15 fire engines.

Local residents were advised to close windows and doors, and the station and nearby buildings were evacuated.

The LFB said the fire was under control shortly after 3.30 pm.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts are with all those affected by the very serious fire in Elephant and Castle, which is now under control."

He added that he was "in close contact with the fire commissioner" and thanked the emergency services "who acted quickly to ensure residents and passengers were safely evacuated".

The cause of the fire is under investigation but the Metropolitan Police service said "the incident is not believed to be terror-related".