Large fire breaks out near Heathrow Airport Published duration 21 November 2016

image copyright @edattwellphoto image caption About 100 firefighters tackled the blaze

A large fire engulfed a garden centre near Heathrow Airport, sending plumes of smoke across west London.

Up to 100 firefighters tackled the blaze at Ansell Garden Centre on Holloway Lane, Sipson, which broke out just after 16:30 GMT.

A 300m (1,000ft) cordon was put in place to prevent an explosion after crews discovered cylinders and fireworks, London Fire Brigade said.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Heathrow flights were not affected and no-one was injured.

image copyright @edattwellphoto

image copyright @edattwellphoto image caption The A3044 Holloway Lane was closed between A408 Sipson Road and Harmondsworth Road

Station manager Sanjay Prasad said: "A number of cylinders were in the garden centre, which is why a 300-metre hazard zone was set up as cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.

"Quick-thinking firefighters were able to drag the majority of the cylinders away from the fire which prevented a possible explosion."

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

The garden centre is an independent, family run business just north of Heathrow Airport.

Local resident Ed Attwell, who was at the scene, said: "I've used the centre many a time. It's a family run centre and this must be devastating for them."

image copyright @anniegottago image caption The fire could be seen from the M4 in west London

image copyright @eclectic_healin

image copyright @rachecole