London firefighters are battling the blaze at a storage unit on Pield Heath Road in Uxbridge. Social media footage shows smoke billowing from behind nearby Hillingdon Hospital.

London Fire Brigade said in a statement: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire at a storage unit on Pield Heath Road in Uxbridge.

“The whole of a single-storey box and part of an adjoining box are lit.”

The statement added: “The Brigade’s 999 control officers took 18 fire calls.

“The Brigade was called at 7:13 p.m. Fire crews from Hillingdon, Hayes, Heathrow, Southall, Ruislip, Harrow and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.”

On Twitter, eyewitness Ekta Gohil said: “Horrific fire scenes behind Hillingdon Hospital, resembling Pied [sic] Heather.”

Station Commander Clive Robinson, who is at the scene, said: “Firefighters are working hard to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading to other units.

“There is still a lot of smoke, so we advise residents to keep their doors and windows closed.”

According to local media The Hillingdon Herald, firefighters are pumping water from the River Pinn to help put out the blaze.

In an update at 10.38pm, London Fire Bridade said: ‘Firefighters are still at the scene of the Uxbridge fire and are likely to be there overnight.