HUNDREDS EVACUATED AS FIRE BREAKS OUT IN LONDON

One person was taken to hospital and hundreds were evacuated after a fire broke out in a south London suburb.

Fifteen fire engines and about 100 firefighters were called to the incident, which began at a car repair garage below Elephant and Castle station shortly before 13:45 on Monday, reports The Guardian.

Reports suggest that the incident started inside the garage below the tube station where at least one cylinder containing an unidentified substance was found. Firefighters applied direct cooling on the cylinder so that it could be brought down to a safe temperature.

Five of the six people taken to hospital are believed to be employees at the garage. A police officer was also taken to hospital.

One hundred firemen were called to the scene where the fire eventually engulfed three shops under the railway arches, six cars and a phone box before it was brought under control two hours later.

The Guardian further reports that a 25 metre cordon was set up around the scene of the fire, requiring the evacuation of several high-rise blocks of flats. Hundreds of residents could only watch and wait for news. People in the surrounding area were asked to keep their doors and windows closed.

Watch The Sun video below for footage showing the scenes from a witness's point of view.

Image credit: Sky News