Massive Fire Breaks Out Under Railway Arches In London's Southwark. Watch Video

London Railway Fire: Footage posted on social media showed large plumes of smoke coming from under the railway arch, which the fire brigade said was 'completely alight'.

Trains to and from London Bridge were affected and several buildings were evacuated

Source : Twitter/@LondonFire

A massive fire broke out under the railway arches on Union Street in London's Southwark on Wednesday, prompting trains to the area to be halted and several buildings to be evacuated, the London Fire Brigade said. A total of ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were pressed into service to tackle the blaze on Union Street.

The blaze was broght under control after several hours. "The fire under the railway arches in Southwark is now under control but crews will remain on scene. There are currently no reports of any injuries. Our fire investigators will now begin their investigation into the cause of the blaze," London Fire Brigade tweeted.

Underground stations at Southwark and London Bridge have both been evacuated and closed. Lines serving the south of London are blocked while services on the Jubilee Line, which runs through Southwark and London Bridge stations, have been part suspended.

A Network Rail spokesperson said the tracks would need to be inspected before services could resume.

Footage posted on social media showed large plumes of smoke coming from under the railway arch, which the fire brigade said was "completely alight". Reports said the fire spread to a car park beneath the railway arches in Southwark, where several electric cars were said to be ablaze.

Several buildings in the area have been evacuated and residents have been urged to shut their windows and doors due to heavy smoke, a report in Mirror said.

"The blaze was producing heavy smoke and those living or working in the local area were advised to keep their windows and doors closed. Trains to and from London Bridge are affected and several buildings were evacuated," said Station Commander Wayne Johnson.

Eyewitnesses reported thick black smoke visible from outside London Bridge and Waterloo East stations. 

"We heard a relatively loud bang of some sort, and then saw smoke coming up all over the place along with a noxious, toxic smell. We evacuated, along with everyone else at the restaurant, and saw part of a building on fire," an eyewitness told Metro.co.uk.