Huge response to fire and reports of 'explosion'

A top floor home in the Vauxhall Street flats, in The Barbican, has been wrecked in a major fire this evening.

Multiple fire crews - some wearing breathing equipment and others using a large aerial platform - responded to the emergency at about 5pm.

At one point a huge blast was heard across the waterside area of the city, and later the Police helicopter circled.

There was rush hour traffic gridlock as police and emergency vehicles blocked the surrounding roads.

At one stage a huge plume of smoke could be seen from miles away.

A fire service spokesman urged local residents: "Please avoid the area and, if you're in the vicinity, close windows and doors as there is a large amount of smoke. "