Great Portland Street fire: Crews tackle building site blaze

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Media caption,

Heavy black smoke could be seen rising into the sky from across the capital

Fire crews tackled a large blaze which broke out on a building site in central London.

Ten fire engines and 72 firefighters battled the flames on Great Portland Street, near to Oxford Circus.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) received more than 40 calls about the fire, with the heavy black smoke seen rising into the sky from across the capital.

The brigade said a 25m exclusion zone was set up because gas cylinders could explode. The fire is now under control.

Image caption,
The blaze broke out in a building which is being redeveloped on Great Portland Street
Image caption,
Gas cylinders were involved in the blaze

The basement, ground, first and second floors of the building were damaged in the blaze, which began at about 12:30 GMT.

The refurbished building is being redeveloped into an apartment complex.

LFB said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Image caption,
A 25m cordon was set up around the site

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