Huge blaze breaks out at high-rise London flats as dozens of firefighters rush to scene

Dozens of firefighters have descended on a high-rise tower block in London after a fire tore through several flats 10 storeys high.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) swarmed to the flats on Rosenthal Road in Catford, in the east of the capital, after fielding nearly 50 reports of a blaze.

In a statement released online just before 1pm, the LFB urged the public to avoid the area as numerous fire crews tackle the inferno.

Later, footage emerged on social media showing flames roaring out of multiple windows and thick black smoke pouring into the sky.

Elsewhere in the online video, numerous fire engines and crews can be seen springing into action on the ground below as the fire continues to rip through multiple floors of the tower block.

A LFB statement read: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a fire at a block of flats on Rosenthal Road in Catford.

“Two flats on the ninth and 10th floors of the building are currently alight.”

Rushey Green, the main road past the building – which comprises Rosenthal House, Capital House, an independent school and several businesses – remains closed, the fire brigade said.

More to follow…