A huge fire broke out underneath Elephant and Castle station on Monday, leading to explosions and evacuations.

       Fifteen engines and 100 firefighters were sent to the south east London station, where the fire had started in garages in the arches beneath the railway line.

       Videos from the scene showed explosions sending fireballs out of the unit (below), with people having to evacuate the area. One image captured on social media showed a police officer carrying two children from the station.

       One member of the public and one police officer were injured in the fire, which started just before 2pm. They were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

       The London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported that the fire spread quickly, setting two other industrial units under the arches alight as well as four cars.

       Huge plumes of smoke could be seen billowing up from the station and the garage below.

       An LFB spokesman said: "Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are attending a fire at railway arches near to Elephant and Castle railway station. Please avoid the area and close all doors and windows."

       "Officers are supporting LFB in Elephant and Castle. There are significant road closures in place and the public are advised to avoid the area. The incident is not believed to be terror related."

       Southwark Police said: "Officers are supporting LFB in Elephant and Castle. There are significant road closures in place and the public are advised to avoid the area."

       Officers at the scene said the station has been evacuated, along with the nearby Strata residential building.

       They described it to local residents as a "major incident", adding that road closures would be in place for "several hours".

       Residents were seen on the streets near the cordon with their pets having been evacuated, before the fire was extinguished by 4pm.

       Major disruption is expected in the area for the rest of the day.

       Network Rail said initially trains would continue to travel through the station, but would not stop there. But at 2.30pm it said that trains had to be stopped as emergency services dealt with the blaze.

       Thameslink said in a tweet: "You will have to use an alternative route to complete your journey and you should allow plenty of extra time to complete your journey.

       "To help keep you on the move, you can use your ticket on: London buses between London Blackfriars, Denmark Hill and Loughborough Junction, London Underground and Southeastern trains between London Victoria, Peckham Rye, Nunhead and London Bridge to Sevenoaks."

       The Northern Line was not stopping at Elephant and Castle Tube station, Transport For London (TFL) has said.

       A TFL spokesman said the fire occurred close to the station on Monday afternoon, and that the entrance to the Northern Line could not be accessed. The Bakerloo line was still running, said British Transport Police.

       Theatre Southwark Playhouse have offered their facility as a base for anyone evacuated by the fire.

       In a statement on Twitter, it said: "We are aware of the fire at Elephant and Castle and we hope everyone is OK.

       "If you've been evacuated and need somewhere to go our door is open for you to charge your phone, have some water or take a seat in our bar. We are 77-85 Newington Causeway - two minutes from the station."

       Sara Scarpa, 25, lives in nearby apartment building Hurlock Heights and said smoke and the noise of the explosion had reached her window.

       "We opened the window for a sec as you could hear people shouting, and we smelt something very very strong," she said.

       "The smoke (was) dying down a little... we heard an explosion and now it started again."

       Minister for London Paul Scully MP said: "Seeing the smoke at Elephant & Castle from my office window.

       "Trying to monitor the speedy response from our emergency services. Hoping everyone is ok."

       Dawn Buttler MP said: "I hope everyone is okay at Elephant and Castle. Stay safe. Thank you LFB for running into danger when everyone runs out."

       A restaurant worker close to Elephant and Castle station said she was evacuated after the fire broke out.

       Alex Leckie, 30, assistant manager at Tupi, said: "The entire building was evacuated, we began to smell smoke and the store owner went to check, we saw smoke billowing out and what I'm told is the mechanics were on fire, the smoke pillar started enveloping the apartment blocks as well and we kept hearing intermittent bangs.

       "The police have indicated it could be some time (until they are allowed back inside). They have repeatedly pushed the crowds back even from the Castle Square Park and cordoned off the roads, there is a very, very heavy presence.

       "At this point emergency crews have everyone well clear of the area."

       Martin Bobrowski, a builder who is working opposite the station, said he heard ambulances and police driving nearby before seeing smoke coming from the station at about 2pm.

       "I heard the police come and I thought there was an accident nearby, but then they started blocking the road off. I then came outside for a cigarette and saw all the black smoke," he said.

       "I was really surprised to see it and a bit scared. They haven't told us anything. The smell was awful. It smelt like a burning electrical cable smell."

       Abdullah Safi, 21, who works at Chatkhara restaurant, was on his way to the Sainsbury's nearby to the station when he saw the flames.

       He said: "I saw so much smoke. The fire was burning so high, about 50ft, so I started recording on my phone.

       "Suddenly there was a big explosion, so I ran away. I ran back to my restaurant. I wasn't hurt or anything. I've never felt so much heat and so much smoke at once.

       "I've never seen something that big - I was scared. And it exploded twice."

       Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said a member of the public and a police officer were being treated for smoke inhalation.

       "My thoughts are with all those affected by the very serious fire in Elephant and Castle. I am in close contact with the Fire Commissioner," he said.

       "I want to thank our brave emergency services - the London Fire Brigade, Met Police, London Ambulance Service and British Transport Police, who acted quickly to ensure both residents and passengers at the nearby station were safely evacuated.

       "The fire is now under control. Two people, one police officer and one member of the public, are being treated for smoke inhalation. I wish them and others affected a speedy recovery.

       "I urge the public to avoid the area whilst our firefighters and emergency services continue their work in the area. There are significant road closures in place and the Tube station is shut.

       "If you live nearby, please follow the advice from London Fire Brigade and close all doors and windows."

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