HOUSES were evacuated and people were told to keep their windows shut as thick black smoke from a fire at a flooring company filled the sky.

Plumes of smoke could be seen from as far away as Beckenham High Street as flames swept through STS Flooring in Green Lane, Penge.

The company lost more than a million pounds of stock in the blaze which took hold at around 7.30am on Sunday.

Roads surrounding the warehouse were closed and police advised people to return to their homes and shut their windows and doors, as a precaution.

Ten fire engines and 50 crew attended the blaze, which was under control by 2pm. Crews stayed to make sure that deep-seated pockets of fire did not re-ignite, and they were still there on Monday afternoon.

No-one was injured and the warehouse was empty when it started. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S BROMLEY EXTRA