Around 100 firefighters tackle fire in Kingston
Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters are tackling a fire, which began at around 2pm today, Sunday 16 March, at a disused building on Richmond Road in Kingston.
The building, opposite the Gala Bingo Hall, was formerly a cinema.
Local resident Lynda Monk said she could see smoke "from the blaze several roads away."
Photojournalist Oliver Monk said: "You could smell the smoke just walking around town, at least as far as Clarence Street.
"There was a crowd of people stood on the road outside the station, watching the firefighters unfurl hoses just outside the cordon.
"You could hear them on the phone to their families — no one was getting home on time with all the streets blocked by emergency services."'
Station Commander Will Thompson, who is at the scene, said: "Crews are making steady progress in tackling the fire.
"There are road closures in place, and we urge people to avoid the area to help reduce disruption.
"The fire is producing smoke, so we advise local residents to keep their windows and doors closed.
"Two of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders are being used as observation towers, providing incident commanders with an aerial view to improve situational awareness and inform tactical decisions."
The Brigade's Control Officers took the first of 32 calls to the fire at 2.24pm and mobilised crews from Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden, Twickenham, Richmond and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
London Fire Brigade have been contacted for more information.
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