London fire LIVE: 100 firefighters rush to tackle huge blaze as locals told to stay away

More than 100 firefighters and 15 appliances are battling a blaze in south London on High Street in Penge. The fire has taken hold at Poundland in High Street, Penge, where a large part of the ground floor is alight.

Fire crews are using a 32-metre turntable ladder as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above and the Brigade's drone team is providing the Incident Commander with regular updates. Neighbouring properties have been evacuated as a precaution and residents in the area are advised to keep their windows and doors shut due to the smoke.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "There is significant traffic disruption due to the number of appliances and the High Street is closed, therefore people are advised to avoid the area.

"The Brigade's Control Office was called at 0430 and mobilised fire crews from Beckenham, Forest Hill, Woodside, West Norwood and other surrounding fire stations to the scene. The cause of the fire is not known at this stage."

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