London fire: Smoke seen for miles as firefighters tackle flames in Rainham scrapyard and Canary Wharf

Thick black plumes of smoke could be seen for miles across the capital as separate fires raged at a scrapyard in east London and in Canary Wharf.

The first blaze was caused when more than twelve vehicles caught fire in a car storage yard in Rainham.

Crews were then also called to the scene of a second fire in the Canary Wharf area. The two fires broke out within an hour of each other.

Plumes of smoke could be seen across the capital, as workers took to social media to post pictures of both scenes on Monday afternoon.

Six fire engines and 30 firefighters were called to the flames in Rainham just before just before 1.30pm. Crews were called to reports of cars alight in Ferry Lane.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Six lorries, six cars and one 40 foot fork lift truck is alight.

"The Brigade was called at 1.21pm. Fire crews from Wennington and surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

The cause of the fires are not yet known.

After the second blaze broke out in Canary Wharf, social media users posted dramatic images as smoke billows into the air.

Witnesses said the area, a building site in Preston's Road, was evacuated while firefighters battled the flames.

The brigade said crews were at the scene, which is 10 miles away from the scrapyard fire, by about 2pm.