A huge fire has ripped through a building in central London filling the area with smoke.

Smoke can be seen across London’s skyline after the London Fire Brigade were called to a blaze at mixed-use building near Tottenham Street in Fitzrovia this morning.

The LFB said six fire engines and 40 firefighters were in attendance, and urged people to avoid the area.

One local resident named William, who lives on an adjacent street, told Metro: ‘We woke up to the smell of fire and smoke in our house.

‘At first, the street was filled with a thick yellow haze. When we went outside, we saw a building—possibly a nail shop—on fire.

‘Even as I was leaving for work, the area was still covered in heavy smoke, and fire brigades were actively working to contain it.’

One witness @weberolivier wrote on X: ‘It absolutely stinks here in Oxford Circus. The air is hazy with smoke.’

Hannah, who works on the street, told Metro there is still a heavy emergency services presence in the area.

She said: ‘There were still remains of smoke when I came into work later this morning.

‘But there were still lots of fire engines and other emergency service vehicles about.’

Ambulances were also pictured at the scene.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

The LFB said: ‘Half of the ground floor is alight.

‘One of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders is being used at the scene to help fight the fire from above.

‘Control Officers took the first of 14 calls at 0743 and mobilised crews from Soho, Euston, Islington and surrounding fire stations to the scene.