Almost 60 firefighters battled to extinguish a blaze at a block of flats this afternoon.

Eight fire engines and 58 members of crew were called to the scene in Queenstown Road, Battersea.

A balcony on the sixth floor had caught light, and 150 residents had evacuated.

A neighbour shared an image saying: ‘You would not be happy with your neighbour if you came home to this!’ (Picture: Jamie Fox)

Fire crews from Chelsea, Battersea, Lambeth, Clapham, Brixton and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. (Picture: Jamie Fox)

A workman at the flats told a Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene that it is believed the fire was started by someone dropping a cigarette in a bin, however London Fire Brigade said the cause is not known at this stage.


He added that the building is covered in cladding and residents were nervous about the spread of the fire.



Fire crews from Chelsea, Battersea, Lambeth, Clapham, Brixton and surrounding fire stations were called to the scene.

A workman at the flats told a Metro.co.uk reporter at the scene that it is believed the fire was started by someone dropping a cigarette in a bin, however London Fire Brigade said the cause is not known at this stage. (Picture: Jamie Fox)

Eight fire engines and 58 members of crew have been called to the scene in Queenstown Road, Battersea. (Picture: Sally Biddall/ Metro)

The building is covered in cladding (Picture: Sally Biddall/ Metro)

Chelsea Bridge closed in both directions between Chelsea Embankment and Prince of Wales Drive due to the incident.

A TfL spokesperson said: ‘Queues are building on the approaches and diversion, especially on the south side of the river on Battersea Park Road.’