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The Mall fire: Blaze engulfs Walthamstow shopping centre The Mall blaze: Walthamstow shopping centre 'extensively damaged'
(about 1 hour later)
A huge fire has broken out at a shopping centre in east London. Firefighters spent more than four hours tackling a blaze that has left an east London shopping centre badly damaged.
More than 150 firefighters, with 25 fire engines, were called to the blaze at the Mall shopping centre in Selborne Road, Walthamstow. One woman was taken to hospital after the fire broke out at the Mall shopping centre in Selborne Road, Walthamstow.
One woman has been taken to hospital, the ambulance service said. People have been warned to avoid the area. Up to 150 firefighters were sent to the scene of the fire, which police declared a "major incident" after it broke out at 07:40 BST.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire was now under control, but firefighters would remain on scene throughout the day. London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire - which is under investigation - was brought under control by about 12:15.
The LFB, which was called at about 07:40 BST, said the cause of the fire was not yet known. Firefighters remain at the scene "damping down" and people have been told to continue avoiding the area.
A manager of one of the shops in the Mall, who only gave her name as Sabrina, told BBC Radio London: "I can see my store is already on fire, it's gone.A manager of one of the shops in the Mall, who only gave her name as Sabrina, told BBC Radio London: "I can see my store is already on fire, it's gone.
"So there's nothing for me to go back to. I'm really upset.""So there's nothing for me to go back to. I'm really upset."
The Mall has 66 stores across one floor, with a small upper area for restaurants. The Mall has 66 stores across one floor, including Clarks, Asda, Boots and TK Maxx, with a small upper area for restaurants.
Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, said the "damage is pretty extensive".
She praised the "massive effort" between the local council, LFB, the police, ambulance service and Transport for London, in dealing with the disruption the fire has caused.
"We have to now see what the damage now is... you could see that the roof had gone on big chunks of it, even from a distance - so that doesn't bode well," Ms Creasy added.
Images and videos posted on social media of the scene show smoke billowing into the air and flames in part of the roof.Images and videos posted on social media of the scene show smoke billowing into the air and flames in part of the roof.
Witness Alex de Lange said: "There's massive amounts of black smoke billowing from the Mall.Witness Alex de Lange said: "There's massive amounts of black smoke billowing from the Mall.
"There's a helicopter and lots of fire engines and sounds like some explosions too. The bus station has been evacuated.""There's a helicopter and lots of fire engines and sounds like some explosions too. The bus station has been evacuated."
At the scene: Rob Oxley, BBC Radio LondonAt the scene: Rob Oxley, BBC Radio London
From my position on the edge of the cordon, I can see the part of the roof that was on fire has caved in.From my position on the edge of the cordon, I can see the part of the roof that was on fire has caved in.
The fire brigade says the fire is now under control and they don't think there's any danger of more of the roof collapsing. They've been using a drone to assess the damage.The fire brigade says the fire is now under control and they don't think there's any danger of more of the roof collapsing. They've been using a drone to assess the damage.
Fire crews who've been here all morning are now being replaced with fresh crews. I've just seen an engine arrive from Hillingdon.Fire crews who've been here all morning are now being replaced with fresh crews. I've just seen an engine arrive from Hillingdon.
An assistant manager of one shop told me doesn't think the fire reached her store, but the clothes will have been damaged by the smoke. She told me she's devastated for the smaller businesses.An assistant manager of one shop told me doesn't think the fire reached her store, but the clothes will have been damaged by the smoke. She told me she's devastated for the smaller businesses.
The LFB commissioner Dany Cotton is also on scene, acting as second in command.The LFB commissioner Dany Cotton is also on scene, acting as second in command.
Elly Gresham-Scott said the "air was hazy" with ash particles.Elly Gresham-Scott said the "air was hazy" with ash particles.
Freddie Joyce said there were "massive high flames spreading at high speed".Freddie Joyce said there were "massive high flames spreading at high speed".
Fire station manager Steve Smith said: "There is a lot of smoke so we would advise local residents to keep their doors and windows closed while crews tackle the fire.Fire station manager Steve Smith said: "There is a lot of smoke so we would advise local residents to keep their doors and windows closed while crews tackle the fire.
"There are local road closures in place so motorists should avoid the area where possible.""There are local road closures in place so motorists should avoid the area where possible."
Walthamstow Central Tube station was evacuated, but has since re-opened. Local bus services are being diverted.Walthamstow Central Tube station was evacuated, but has since re-opened. Local bus services are being diverted.