A large fire has broken out on the 17th floor of a block of flats in London.

The capital’s fire service said it has sent 15 engines and 100 firefighters to the scene at Whitechapel High Street.

Witnesses describe large panels of glass falling hundreds of metres to the ground, orange flames, smoke pouring out of the windows and “awful scenes”.

Three commercial units underneath the railway arches are completely alight and four cars and a telephone box are also on fire.

People are urged to avoid the area near Elephant and Castle railway station.

Station Commander James Ryan, who is at the scene, said one of the brigade’s 64 metre ladders is being used.

He added: “There are significant road closures in place and we are asking people to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed whilst firefighters work to bring the fire under control.

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“The station and nearby buildings have been evacuated.”

Crews from Old Kent Road, Lambeth, Soho, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations are at the scene as well as London Ambulance Service.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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