A dramatic scene unfolded in Croydon this evening after a black SUV caught fire on Whitehorse Road, sending plumes of thick grey smoke high into the air and forcing emergency services into action.
The blaze broke out near the junction with Windmill Road, just a short distance from the local Lidl supermarket and the Legacy Youth Zone. Witnesses described seeing flames erupt from underneath the vehicle before the fire quickly took hold.
London Fire Brigade crews were dispatched to the scene, with firefighters in protective gear seen working to bring the fire under control. Hazard tape was put up around the burning vehicle to keep curious onlookers and passing traffic at a safe distance.
Smoke from the fire could reportedly be seen from several streets away, with nearby residents stepping out of their homes to watch the response unfold.
So far, no injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire remains unclear. Investigators are expected to examine the vehicle once it has cooled enough to be made safe.
Drivers in the area are being urged to steer clear of Whitehorse Road while emergency crews finish their work, with Boulogne Road and Windmill Road suggested as alternative routes.
The incident was first reported with on-the-ground photos and video by London Chronicle, who were among the first to capture the scene. You can read the original report and view the exclusive footage here.
