A huge fire has ripped through the commercial units below Elephant and Castle station, causing damage and disrupting public transport throughout central London.
The fire is believed to have originated from T R Autos and started shortly before 13:45 on Monday, June 28, with fire alarms triggering a mass evacuation from the high rise buildings and businesses beside the station. Affected businesses include a nursery, with several young children having been carried out of the building by police officers. At least six people were treated by the London Ambulance Service, though their conditions remain unknown. One patient was reportedly “rushed to hospital”, while the others were treated on-site.
Around 70 firefighters are in attendance, in addition to support from police, ambulance, and major incident services. The fire has caused huge clouds of smoke to spread across south London; London Fire Brigade is warning those in the area to keep windows and doors shut.
Roar writer Dani Jones was evacuated from one of the residential buildings beside the station and reported hearing a series of “small explosions” as the fire spread to at least three commercial buildings. She continued: “the scene was chaotic at first. Initially the staff in the student accommodation ushered us towards Elephant Square, but after a few minutes there were more explosions and police ordered us back further and further until we ended up quite a distance from the station.”
Local residents have not yet been advised when they can return to their homes, and many of those living in the area were forced to flee with only what they could carry.
There is widespread disruption to public transport throughout central London with buses stranded due to road closures, and disruption to both London Underground services and Thameslink overground rail services running through Elephant and Castle Station. Roads around the station are closed to allow emergency services access, with motorists being advised to avoid the area.
