Around 10 firefighters are said to be on scene battling the flames.

Fire crews are tackling a devastating blaze at an electrical substation in London following a suspected explosion.

15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been dispatched to the scene on Victoria Passage in Westminster, after receiving the first call at around 5.30am on Tuesday, April 29.

73 calls to 999 are said to have been made reporting it.

The fire brigade confirmed an electrical transformer is on fire and part of the roof of a neighbouring residential building is also alight.

Witnesses have reported seeing flames and thick black smoke visible from across the city, with one claiming to have seen smoke rising behind Big Ben.

Locals have been instructed to keep their windows and doors closed while crews extinguish the blaze.

Some have taken to social media to share their own pictures of the fire from afar. One said: “Nasty looking fire north of Marylebone this morning.”

Another commented: “Smoke from the Westminster substation fire in London seen rising behind Big Ben.”

Speaking from the scene, London Fire Brigade Station Commander Paul Morgan said: “This is a very visible fire and there is lots of smoke. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut.”

Crews from Paddington and Euston fire stations are in attendance. London Fire Brigade wrote on X:” We’re on scene and extinguishing a fire at an electrical substation on Victoria Passage NW8 in Westminster.

“It’s a very visible fire causing heavy smoke, which has prompted 41 calls to our 999 Control officers.

“Crews are continuing to extinguish a fire on Victoria Passage NW8 in Westminster. There’s considerable smoke with 73 calls to the Brigade’s 999 Control. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors shut.”