Fire in Wapping can be seen from miles away. Pic: @aj_1987

A large fire which can be seen for miles has broken out today (May 18) in Wapping, requiring nearly 100 firefighters to control the blaze.

The fire started on Brodlove Lane in a builder’s yard, where it was feared gas cylinders inside could explode.

A total of fifteen fire engines and 97 firefighters arrived at the scene, where they managed to control the blaze after it burned fiercely for around five hours.

The whole building yard set alight, including a van, gas cylinders and shipping containers with furniture inside.

The fire also spread to a block of flats next door, where a man was rescued from the fifth floor and 12 others evacuated.

The brigade arrived after receiving more than 30 calls from members of the public, using crews from all over east London, including Shadwell, Poplar, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Islington and Homerton, Stratford, Lambeth, Plumstead, Peckham, Plaistow and Deptford.

So far no injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is unknown.

The outbreak of the fire has been documented on Twitter:

#Wapping over 100 @LondonFire firefighters are tackling a building fire Brodlove Lane #E1W

Pics @russellsommer pic.twitter.com/BnFdv77eKR

— London 999 Feed (@999London) May 18, 2016

 

We’re working hard to bring #Wapping builders’ yard blaze under control © @russellsommer https://t.co/T42qHN6k1Q pic.twitter.com/1N1KqiiSDB

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) May 18, 2016

 

Rain, ducks, & #Wapping fire pic.twitter.com/1itL7NLatk

— Christopher Holt (@holtchristopher) May 18, 2016

 

hour later still going #ViewFromWork #Wapping #BrodloveLane #Shadwell #Fire #BlackSmoke pic.twitter.com/ssUaflphY4

— AJ (@aj_1987) May 18, 2016