An Odeon theater in southeast London has been protected from a fire that swept through an adjacent structure, according to the London Fire Brigade (LFB).

The incident prompted the deployment of ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters to Beckenham High Street shortly before 08:00 BST. The LFB reported that the fire has since been brought under control.

Station Commander Tony Perks, who was present at the location, noted that the roof of the mixed-use establishment sustained significant damage; however, he emphasized, “We were able to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby buildings, including the cinema.”

Motorists are being urged to steer clear of the area, as traffic jams are likely to persist due to the roads being obstructed by fire response vehicles.

Mr. Perks also stated that no injuries have been reported.

The LFB indicated that the building involved was undergoing refurbishment at the time of the fire.

In the initial phase of the incident, a substantial plume of smoke could be seen from several miles away, although the brigade mentioned that it has now dissipated.

A 32-meter (105-foot) turntable ladder was employed as a water tower to assist in combating the fire from an elevated position.

The LFB announced that several fire appliances would continue to be stationed in the vicinity to ensure that the fire is completely extinguished and to address any remaining hotspots.