What caused the Elephant and Castle station fire?
A HUGE blaze erupted at a London Tube station today, with black smoke seen billowing for miles. Scores of firefighters raced to Elephant and Castle after a massive explosion underground. Photos and videos from the scene show the area being engulfed in smoke. Thick plumes filled the air above central London at around 1.45pm this afternoon while travellers were urgently evacuated from the station. One video shows the moment a huge ball of fire exploded out of the side of the station. There are unconfirmed reports the fire broke out at an auto repair shop in one of the arches under the station. A passenger on the Tube travelling through Elephant and Castle station said the area was being "hurriedly closed", and that it was a petrol station that had caught fire. A spokesperson for British Transport Police said the incident was not believed to be terror-related. Thameslink confirmed there was a fire next to the track at the Elephant and Castle station. It broke out at the railway arches near the Tube stop. The London Fire Brigade said 10 fire engines and around 70 firefighters were at the scene. Witnesses also reported "numerous" cop cars were present, as well as an ambulance.