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A huge fire broke out in London after a paint factory inferno led to a "fireball in the sky".

The London Fire Brigade said 15 fire engines and 90 firefighters were at the scene in Staples Junction, a major junction the north of the city.

Officers said a paint factory went up in flames, with the inferno lighting up the skies across the north of the capital.

An entire single storey warehouse was alight, according to London Fire Brigade.

Factory workers had already left the building before crews arrived, it was confirmed.

One woman described seeing a "fireball in the sky" and videos show an enormous blaze off the side of the North Circular Road.

Achal Dhillon who lives in Hendon, less than half a mile from the scene, said the fire was burning "quite violently" for more than 30 minutes.

(Image: ShulemStern/Twitter)

(Image: BALKE RIDDER;LFB/Twitter) (Image: Twitter/ @AishaManiar)

The 33-year-old said that he saw fireballs being propelled into the air from the burning building up to a height of 100 metres.

Witnessing the fire spread through the building Mr Dhillon, after spotting what was initially a small blaze or a "little dot", said there was then a "loud pop".

"Then we saw a lot of flames suddenly rise up by themselves... then just this huge mountain of fire, almost pyramid shaped and spiralling as it was shooting fireballs into the air," he said.

Mr Dhillon said he was "amazed" at how quickly the fire service responded, adding that it was probably only a couple of minutes before they arrived and were tackling the flames.

Huge flames and pillars of black smoke poured out of the building and motorists were advised to avoid the area as crews worked to tackle the blaze.

(Image: MPSBarnet/Twitter) (Image: ShulemStern/Twitter)

Multiple fire engines were sent to the scene after the fire service received the first call at 9.20pm.

The fire brigade tweeted: "15 fire engines & 90 firefighters & officers are tackling a paint factory blaze on Waterloo Road, Staples Corner. Please avoid the area if possible."

Paula Cogan wrote on Twitter: "Lots of smoke, noise and an eerie red sky in the direction of Staples Corner due to a warehouse fire. Keeping the windows closed - hope everyone is safe!"

(Image: Rory Beaton/Twitter)

(Image: Rory Beaton/Twitter)

(Image: 999London/Twitter)

Osman Ahmed said: "Clouds of thick black smoke can be seen from miles away filling up the horizon. Praying that everyone is safe and far away from it."

A fire brigade spokesman: "This is a significant fire at a paint factory off the North Circular which can be seen across London.

"We'd ask people to avoid the area if possible and local residents to keep their doors and windows shut."

Fire crews from Hendon and other surrounding areas attended the scene.

London fire brigade said there were 45 calls to 999 to report the fire. They confirmed that the cause of the fire is not yet known at this stage.