Tall order: the firefighters used 32-metre ladders to reach up and over the blaze

Around 100 firefighters have been battling a fire at a waste transfer station in Herne Hill this morning, with gas cylinders removed from the scene to reduce the risk of explosions.

The whole of the building, on Shakespeare Road, was alight and partially collapsed.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Station Commander Paul Sadler, who was at the scene, said: “Crews worked incredibly hard. It was a protracted incident, with crews remaining at the scene throughout the night and into the morning.

“We know it was a warm night, but the fire was producing large amounts of smoke and those in the local area were urged to keep their windows and doors closed where possible whilst crews worked to bring it under control.

Hot night: it took 100 firefighters five hours to get the fire under control

“People were asked to avoid the area due to road closures in place.”

Two 32-metre turntable ladders – the tallest available in the London Fire Brigade – were used as water towers at the scene to tackle the flames from height.

It took the firefighters, using 15 fire engines, almost five hours to get the blaze under control by just after 7am.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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