Around 150 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a disused building in a south London town centre.
The London Fire Brigade said it had sent around 15 fire engines to the fire on Richmond Road in Kingston in a former commercial building.
The blaze, which broke out at around 2.20pm, has prompted officials to warn local residents to keep their windows closed and to avoid the area if possible.
LFB station commander Will Thompson, who is overseeing efforts to tackle the fire, said: "Crews are making steady progress in tackling the fire. We urge people to avoid the area to help reduce disruption.”
The fire service said it was using two of its 32-metre turntable ladders as observation towers at the scene.
Kingston Council warned of heavy traffic on Richmond Road, which leads into the town centre, as firefighters respond to the incident.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Bus routes 65, 111, 281, 285, 411 and SL7 are on diversion.
A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said: "We have an incident response officer at the scene of the fire in Kingston Please try to avoid the area and if you live nearby, stay indoors and keep windows closed."
