Wapping fire: Concerns gas cylinders could explode in builders' yard blaze sending smoke over London

Almost 60 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze in Wapping

The fire at a Wapping builders' yard viewed from Canary Wharf on 18 May 2016 (Steven Phillips)

A fire at a builders' yard in East London has sent black smoke rising over the capital amid concerns gas cylinders could explode.

Almost 60 firefighters were tackling the blaze in Wapping on Wednesday afternoon.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said smoke could be seen for miles around.

“The whole of the yard is alight. There are also reports of gas cylinders involved,” he added.

“Fire crews will be cooling the cylinders down as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.”

The brigade was called at 11.41am and the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

More than 30 people dialled 999 to report the incident on Brodlove Lane and authorities said smoke could be seen for several miles around.

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said paramedics were on standby but had not received reports of any injured people.