Tooting High Road was completely sealed off as firefighters tackled a huge fire at the rear of a three storey building. 

Six fire engines and 30 fire fighters went to the scene of the blaze in Mandrake Road, at the junction with Tooting High Road, with police also in attendance.

The London Fire Brigade was called to the incident at 12.30pm, where the shop with flats is also said to have gas cylinders, a spokesman said.

A Met Police spokeswoman said officers were called to help assist fire fighters at 12.36pm.

Witness Katherine O'Mahony, who lives nearby, said she believed the fire was at Russell's Trade and DIY, which she said stocks camping gas canisters.

She said: "I was returning home and noticed a big crowd building at the end of the road. There were lots of firefighters there trying to put out the fire. There was a bit of a panic because of the gas canisters.

"There are people turning up all the time to pick up gas canisters, that's why everyone was so scared."