Battersea fire tears through nine-storey apartment block

Around 60 firefighters were called in to fight a blaze at an apartment block in Battersea after flames were seen leaping up from a balcony.

Witnesses said the fire started on a third floor balcony before working its way up the outside of the building next to the Chelsea Bridge.

The bridge was closed as fire crews from around the capital were drafted in to put the fire out.

The fire is understood to have started on a third floor balcony before working its way up

Pictures from the scene show the damage done by the fire as it moved up the building

It is unclear whether anyone has been hurt in the fire, which was first reported around midday. 

A statement from London Fire Brigade said: ‘Eight fire engines and 58 firefighters and officers have been called to a flat fire in Queenstown Road, Battersea.

‘A balcony on the sixth floor is alight.

‘The Brigade was called at 12:01pm. Fire crews from Chelsea, Battersea, Lambeth, Clapham, Brixton and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.’

Pictures from the scene show the fire was extinguished this afternoon. 

Witnesses at the Chelsea Bridge Wharf block – where apartments go for up to £2million – praised the speed of the fire service.

Miranda Garton-Jones tweeted: ‘Hate to think how bad it could have been. You were there so quickly. Great job.’

A witness posted this image of ruined balconies on Twitter after the fire was put out

Fire crews from around west London remained at the scene this afternoon