Inferno nightmare as massive fire tears through London, with towering flames closing in on homes and terrified residents fleeing
A HUGE fire broke out in London just metres away from homes and shops as firefighters battled to keep the flames under control.
Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from Khan’s Bargains shop and storage unit on Peckham Rye.
Dramatic footage from the scene shows the fire tearing through the building
A huge fire has broken out in PeckhamCredit: X
Around 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters scrambled to the scene as crews worked to stop the inferno from spreading.
The London Fire Brigade has urged nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed due to “significant smoke in the area.”
A spokesperson warned: “The fire is affecting a shop and a storage unit.
“Firefighters are working hard to bring this fire under control.
Onlookers stopped to watch the blaze while thick black smoke billowed out of the Khan’s bargains department storeCredit: X
Around 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters have been scrambled to the sceneCredit: X
“Around half of a department store remains alight.
“Traffic in the area is also likely to be impacted, so members of the public are advised to avoid the area if they can.”
Dramatic footage from the scene shows the fire tearing through the building beside a block of flats and neighbouring businesses.
A video taken from a balcony engulfed by smoke captured several firefighters attempting to tackle the raging flames.
Firefighters resting after they battled the blaze
A view of the fire from street levelCredit: X
Two of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders were used at the scene as water towers to help fight the fire from above.
Dozens of stunned onlookers gathered at Copeland Park – a popular events venue in the area just metres away to watch the blaze as emergency services swarmed the area.
More than 30 emergency calls were made to control officers who arrived at the scene at 8.54pm.
The dramatic inferno has also sparked travel chaos after flames erupted right next to the tracks of the railway line running through Peckham.
Southeastern confirmed the fire had disrupted services, with the 10.42pm Victoria to Gillingham train no longer calling at Denmark Hill.
The train service also confirmed they would not be stopping at Peckham Rye for the rest of the night.
The cause of the fire is still not known.
