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More than 70 firefighters were called to battle a huge fire in central London after a blaze on a construction site triggered a series of gas explosions.

Scores of people reported seeing thick plumes of black smoke rising over the capital from miles around.

 Thick plumes of smoke have been spotted for miles around
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Thick plumes of smoke have been spotted for miles aroundCredit: Twitter/UkPartridge

The blaze took hold after flames sparked explosions involving a number of gas canisters at the construction site on Great Portland Street in Soho at around 12.45pm this afternoon.

The site, which is being developed into a shop and restaurant, is near BBC Broadcasting House and busy Oxford Street.

The road was closed in both directions as 10 fire engines were dispatched to deal with the fire.

London Fire Brigade confirmed it received more than 40 calls reporting the blaze.

 The fire broke out on a construction site on Great Portland Street
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The fire broke out on a construction site on Great Portland StreetCredit: @adderlad/Twiter
 Around 10 fire engines were dispatched to tackle the flames
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Around 10 fire engines were dispatched to tackle the flamesCredit: @ChrisRustage/Twitter

A spokesman said: "Ten fire engines and 72 firefighters and officers tackled a fire on a building site on Great Portland Street.

"The Brigade’s control took over forty 999 calls to this visible blaze. Part of the basement, ground, first and second floor of the building under refurbishment was badly damaged by fire.

"A number of gas cylinders were involved in the blaze. As a precaution the cylinders were called down as some can explode when exposed to heat."