Firefighters tackle huge blaze at Sydenham scrapyard as plume of smoke billows across south London

Black smoke was visible from across London on Monday afternoon as around 60 firefighters tackled a huge fire at a metal scrapyard which left one man requring hospital treatment.

Eight fire engines were scrambled to the scene in Burnham Way in Lower Sydenham around 3pm on Monday, where they found a car on fire.

Around seven tonnes of scrap metal was ablaze by 4pm, said London Fire Brigade (LFB).

One man has been taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.

Station Commander Keith Sanders, who is at the scene, said: “The fire was extremely visible and our 999 Control Officers received 30 calls alerting them to the fire.

“Due to the amount of smoke, local residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

“Firefighters remain on the scene but are making good progress extinguishing the flames.”

The brigade described the blaze as “extremely visible”, and said it had taken nearly 30 calls from concerned members of the public.

“Local residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed due to heavy smok.,” said a spokesperson.

“The brigade was called at 3.01pm and is still on scene. Fire crews from Forest Hill, Beckenham, Lewisham, Bromley, Lee Green and surrounding stations are in attendance.

“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.”

People on social media shared footage of thick black smoke spewing from the scrapyard, and issuing in a plume high into the sky above the city where it was visible from miles away.