Businesses were forced to evacuate their properties while six fire engines and 30 firefighters tried to control a blaze at a tyre-shredding warehouse.

Crews were called to the scene on Purley Way, Croydon on Thursday 22 September at around 1.15am.

An aerial appliance also helped tackle the blaze at the two storey warehouse, which saw part of its roof collapse. A temporary exclusion zone was set up and nearby businesses had to evacuate because two acetylene gas cylinders and a propane gas cylinder were inside the 2,400 sq m building.

The tyres inside the warehouse created a large amount of thick black smoke causing closure of the Purley Way in both directions.

Station manager, Julian Spooner, said: “This was a massive fire, which caused a huge amount of black smoke due to the number of tyres that were involved. Crews worked throughout the night to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring properties, one of which is a restaurant.”

An investigation is being carried out to establish the cause.