Warehouse near Heathrow airport hit by fire

Firefighters were tackling a blaze in a warehouse near one of the world's busiest airports today.

Crews were called to the cargo area of Heathrow Airport in west London at around 1.15pm.

A spokesman for airport operator BAA said a 400 metre exclusion zone had been set up but stressed the airport was "running as normal" and no flights were affected.

A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines were involved in the operation.

He said about 200 people were evacuated from the warehouse but there were no reports of any injuries or anybody trapped in the building.

The spokesman said the blaze was "substantial" but its cause was unknown at this stage.

The fire spread through a warehouse belonging to Servisair, a provider of aviation ground services.