Blaze at London immigration office
Updated on 18 March 2009
More than 100 people have been evacuated after a fire broke out in an historic area of central London.
A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said 15 fire engines were sent to the blaze in an office block in Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane.
Around 75 firefighters are at the scene, where the fifth floor and roof of the building housing the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal is ablaze.
An LFB spokesman said firefighters believe there are gas cylinders on the roof of the building, which was undergoing refurbishment.
One eyewitness described a "huge black plume of smoke" rising into the sky as fire engines rushed to the scene. Police cordoned off Chancery Lane at the junction with Fleet Street and stopped traffic from entering.
A Tribunals Service spokeswoman said: "We are at present trying to contact those who were due to have hearings in the building tomorrow to advise them not to attend and we will be in touch with them about arranging new dates."
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