FIREFIGHTERS are scaling back operations after tackling a large blaze at a timber yard.

The fire at Express Timber and Building Centre in Penge, Bromley occured at around 7am.

Over 40 firefighters and 10 appliances battled the blaze for most of the morning.

Six engines remain on site and the police cordon remains around High Street and Maple Road, but the London Fire Brigade has announced it expects to leave the sight by this evening.

A spokesman said: "We are aiming to try and scale back our operations here as safely as possible. None of our firefighters or members of public were hurt in the fire but we will probably use heat seeking cameras to check for hot spots before we leave today."

He added: "As soon as everything is safe for the team the fire brigade will be investigating the cause of this fire."

There were six Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) canisters involved in the fire and one resident recalled hearing explosions.

The woman from nearby Parkside Close said: "I heard about three large explosions and when I looked outside I saw a big fire and loads of black smoke. My neighbours were running around everywhere and children were crying. I just ran to a friends house to find out what was happening."

Flats around the timber yard were evacuated as the cannisters were cooled and Bromley council set up a rest centre in Melvin Hall on Melvin Road for around 50 residents who were forced to leave their homes.

Several business fell behind the police cordon and St John’s school on Maple Road is set to remain closed until after the half-term holiday next week.