The Catford Bridge Tavern was ablaze sending smoke billowing across the town centre.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called just before 6pm today (March 1) to the pub, at Doggett Road.

The building is currently undergoing refurbishment and the LFB reports most of the roof, half of the second floor and part of the first floor was alight.

Firefighters rescued four people from the building and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) has taken them to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The LFB has reported "steady progress" is being made to quell the flames. 

Eyewitness Jamie Currier said: “We were in Nando’s and from there we saw lots of smoke coming down Bromley Road.

“We went to see where it was coming from and saw loads of smoke at the back of Tesco’s.

“There was smoke going up in the sky all along the main road. We went past the station and from there it looked massive.

“There were fire engines, ambulance and police cars everywhere.

"The whole road is closed no one can go through from Forest Hill to Catford; it’s at a complete standstill.”

MORE TOP STORIES The 24-year-old from near Whitefoot Lane in Downham added: "It’s thoroughly on fire. There were plumes of smoke going up.

“We were about 150 yards away and even through the smoke we could see big flames.

“It’s a timber building so you can smell it all the way through Catford.

“It’s giving the sky a glow, it was really lighting up the sky.

“The lights from the fire engines are lighting up the smoke you can see the full extent of it. You can see the actual flames themselves.”

Mr Currier, who works in sales at a language school, added: “Just looking at it I felt warmer, I was shivering in Nando’s from the rain but I was physically warmer after being there.”

Due to the fire Transport for London confirmed buses 75, 124, 160, 171, 181, 185, 202, 284, 320 and 336 are on diversion.

The Southeastern line between London Cannon Street and Hayes Kent was blocked earlier but has now reopened. 

The latest update is trains are running at a reduced speed through the station, but they are unable to call at Catford Bridge until further notice. 

Passengers with a valid ticket are being accepted on buses, tramlink and London Underground.

Road traffic is being affected with Catford Road reported to be closed at Standstead Road and Catford Hill.

The A205 westbound at Canadian Avenue is also closed.

Eight fire engines from Greenwich, Lee Green, Bromley, Forest Hill, Lewisham, Bromley, East Greenwich and Orpington fire stations and 58 fire fighters tackled the blaze.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

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UPDATE: Traffic 'nightmare' in Catford following pub fire