Fire breaks out at department store in Peckham

A fire that broke out at a department store causing huge plumes of smoke in south-east London on Thursday evening has been brought under control, the London Fire Brigade has said.

At its height, around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were called to Rye Lane, Peckham just before 21:00 BST, where the single storey extension of the store had caught alight.

Residents were asked to keep their windows closed due to the "significant amount of smoke" and people were advised to avoid the area due to traffic congestion.

The fire was brought under control by 23:50 and crews remain on the scene to put out any hotspots. An investigation into the cause of the blaze is under way.

Station commander Craig Abbott said: "Firefighters worked hard in arduous conditions to bring this fire under control.

"A single storey extension on the first floor of a commercial building was destroyed by the fire.

"Around 50 people left the building before the brigade arrived. There are currently no reports of any injuries."

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