Nearly 200 firefighters battle London police station blaze

Forest Gate police station evacuated, with nearby residents told to keep doors and windows shut because of smoke

Nearly 200 firefighters have been called to tackle a blaze at a Metropolitan Police station in east London.
Forest Gate police station has been evacuated, with nearby residents told to keep their doors and windows shut because of large amounts of smoke.
Pictures and video on social media show tall flames and smoke billowing from the building, in the London borough of Newham.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, London Fire Brigade and Scotland Yard have said, though police say they are not treating it as suspicious.
Officers said shortly before midnight on Wednesday that the fire had been contained.
Some 175 firefighters and 30 fire engines were called to the scene after the fire broke out shortly after 4.15pm. No injuries have been reported, but ambulances were in attendance.
Earlier the London Fire Brigade said in a statement: “Part of a police station, including its mansard roof, is alight. The fire is producing large amounts of smoke, and people in the local area are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.
“Road closures are in place and people are advised to avoid the area while the incident is ongoing.
“Three of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders and one of the Brigade’s 64-metre turntable ladders are at the scene.
“The Brigade was called at 16.17. Firefighters from Stratford, Leytonstone, Plaistow and surrounding fire stations are attending the scene. The cause of the fire is not yet known.”
The Met Police said: “London Fire Brigade is currently dealing with a fire at Forest Gate police station on the third floor of the building.
“The building has been evacuated. We are not aware of any injuries or people trapped in the building. Road closures are in place at the scene.”