Three people have died in central London after a car crashed into a sheltered accommodation block and burst into flames.

Emergency crews were called to Great Western Road in Notting Hill, west London, at around 4.50am and found the vehicle on fire.

The blaze was extinguished but the three people who were in the car were pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles are thought to have been involved in the crash.

One witness who lives on the road told LBC they saw a neighbour run out to try to help the people in the burning car.

They said: "It's a shock - you don't expect something like that to happen.

"There's no words. It'll stay with us for a while."

News Shopper: Emergency services at the scene on the Great Western Road, Notting Hill, west London. Kirsty O'Connor/PA WireEmergency services at the scene on the Great Western Road, Notting Hill, west London. Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire

Fire crews evacuated nine people from the building as a precaution.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said that their 999 call handlers took 20 calls to the blaze, and sent four fire engines along with two rescue units.

Police are now working to identify those who died and inform their families.

A cordon has been set up at the junction of Harrow Road and Great Western Road and is expected to be in place for several hours.

Police have appealed for anyone with information, video or photographs that could help the investigation to contact them on 101 quoting the reference CAD 917/14 Sept.