Explosion and fire in Coldharbour Lane, Denmark Hill – 3 injured

Brixton firefighters are among the six crews dealing with a fire and explosion in what is thought to be a workshop near the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Denmark Hill in Camberwell.

Three people have been taken to hospital by paramedics following the blast which happened at 2.25pm today.

Denmark Hill is closed in both directions, causing serious traffic delays as fire crews damp down hotspots. About half of the ground floor of the building has been destroyed by the explosion and ensuing blaze.

Station manager Bruce Grain, from Brixton fire station, is at the scene, he said: “We were called to reports of a fire and explosion. Firefighters are on the scene at the moment and have managed to bring the fire under control. The building has been severely damaged so we are not sure at this stage what the building was being used for. As soon as it’s safe to do so, our fire investigators will be working to establish exactly what happened.”

Firefighters from Brixton, Peckham, Old Kent Road and Lewisham are on the scene. The Met Police and London Ambulance Service are also there.

Buses from Brixton through Camberwell are also facing cancellations and diversions.