Huge plumes of smoke fill sky as blaze erupts in City of London just yards from St Paul’s Cathedral

HUGE plumes of smoke have filled the sky after a blaze erupted in the City of London just yards from St Paul’s Cathedral.

Four fire engines and 24 firefighters have scrambled to a fire on Lothbury, a road running past the Bank of England.

The London Fire Brigade was first called at 3.47pm and has taken ten calls about the fire since then.

Snaps show smoke billowing from the fire in a ground-floor restaurant kitchen on Lothbury.

Fire engines have raced to the scene from Shadwell and Shoreditch in the East End and Dockhead across the river in south London.

Witness Seb said: “A fire seems to have broken out in the City of London, with smoke rising from a building near Saint Paul’s Cathedral.

“All seems to have died down. Still unsure of what caused the smoke.”

Posting on Twitter, witness Ned said: “Plumes of smoke billowing from a building behind a Ned – not sure if a fire or not.”

Another witness named James said: “LFB not entirely sure where the fire is it seems.

“Lots of people evacuated on the street at Moorgate and Lothbury due to smoke alarms and evacuation orders.”

The LFB said: “Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters are responding to a commercial building fire on Lothbury in the City of London.

“The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers have taken over 10 calls to the fire. The Brigade was first called at 1547.

“Fire crews from Shoreditch, Dockhead, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations are in attendance at the scene.”