Crews battle fire at block of flats for 14 hours

A firefighter in protective gear sprays water at a smoke-filled area beside a brick building, with yellow hoses stretched across the ground.LFB

Fire crews were at the scene from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning

About 100 firefighters tackled a fire at a block of flats for more than 14 hours in south-east London, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

The first, second, third floors and roof space of the residential block on Hatcham Park Mews in New Cross were on fire, it added.

The LFB said it first received calls about the blaze shortly before 16:30 BST on Wednesday and firefighters got it under control by 06:48 on Thursday.

A brigade spokesperson said no injuries have been reported and the cause was currently unknown. They added that 34 residents were evacuated to a nearby rest centre.

Firefighters in protective gear work at the scene of a blaze, with a fire engine parked between residential buildings and hoses laid out across the wet ground. Smoke is visible rising from the upper floor of a white building.LFB

Station commander Patrick Ackroyd said the fire was causing "significant traffic disruption"

Station commander Patrick Ackroyd said: "The fire generated a large plume of smoke, particularly around the junction of New Cross Road and Queens Road.

"We asked people who live or work nearby, to keep windows and doors closed.

He added the fire had caused "significant traffic disruption" and urged motorists to avoid the area.

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