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Firefighters were tonight tackling a huge pub blaze that broke out just hours into the new year.

Dramatic footage posted on social media showed The Aeronaut in Acton, London, on fire with smoke billowing from the roof.

The pub had been hosting a New Year's Eve 'Circus Spectacular' for its customers, which featured 10 different performers.

London Fire Brigade tweeted at 2.30am: "We're currently attending a fire at a pub on #Acton High Street. More soon."

Residents posted images and video of the fire.

(Image: @AbdulYusuf) (Image: @AbdulYusuf) (Image: @AbdulYusuf)

Acton police station, next door to the pub in High Street, was also evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Scotland Yard said three officers from the station were being treated for smoke inhalation after they rushed to help.

Musician Matt Blair said he was rescued from the roof of the building after his performance with double-act Rayguns Look Real Enough.

He tweeted: "We're fine but 2017 has already got off to a bad start. One of our favourite venues that we just played burned down. Everyone is fine.

"Manic. We were upstairs, had to get on a roof area and luckily found a ladder we could climb down. Scary stuff.

"It was pretty scary and shocking. Physically we're all fine. Just a bit shocked and sad."

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it rescued six people from the first floor flat while 72 firefighters worked to dampen the flames.

A spokesman said: "Half of the ground floor of the building is alight. The first and second floors, including the roof of the three storey building, have been gutted by the fire."

The Metropolitan Police said the cause was not believed to be suspicious while the LFB said it was unknown.

Mr Blair said he had heard "some idiot" used a candle to light a branch on a Christmas tree but he was unable to verify this.