Arson arrest after fire shuts Brixton Tube station

A fire truck and firefighters stand by hoses in a back street in London. There is graffiti on the walls on one side of the road. Image source, London Fire Brigade
Image caption,

The fire brigade said it was first alerted to the fire just after 09:40 BST

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a blaze forced the closure of Brixton Underground station.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said a storage area at the back of a mixed-use building, in Electric Avenue in Brixton, south London, caught alight and about 70 firefighters were on the scene.

The Metropolitan Police said the arrested man was in his 40s and in custody.

A spokesman added: "No injuries have been reported. Surrounding buildings have been evacuated."

A fire engine in the street surrounded by stalls of fruit and vegetables.Image source, London Fire Brigade
Image caption,

The fire has been "largely extinguished" the LFB said

A fire truck and firefighters stand by hoses in a back street in London. There is graffiti on the walls on one side of the road. Image source, London Fire Brigade
Image caption,

A man has now been arrested on suspicion of arson

LFB said it was first alerted to the fire just after 09:40 BST and firefighters from Brixton, Peckham, Lambeth, West Norwood and surrounding fire stations were sent to the scene.

It said the fire had been "largely extinguished", but firefighters continued to damp down the pitched roof of a building above the storage area after the fire spread.

Roads have been closed and people have been asked to avoid the area.

Residents have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed to prevent smoke entering their homes.

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