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Firefighters are battling a large blaze at a workshop in south London.

Croydon Police tweeted on Thursday just after 6pm that officers and the London Fire Brigade were on the scene of a fire in Lancing Road, near Canterbury Road.

LFB said 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters were called out just at 5.45pm to reports that a car workshop was alight.

Nearby residents have been advised to keep their doors and windows shut.

Photos on twitter showed black smoke billowing across apartment buildings.

One person tweeted: "I can smell the smoke and chemicals but can't figure out where it's coming from. There is a helicopter circling as well".

Another said they could smell burning rubber.

Police said there was heavy congestion in the area due to a number of road closures.

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