More than 80 firefighters tackle blaze in London's West End

Up to 100 firefighters are tackling a roof fire at a property in the heart of London's West End.

Smoke from the mansard roof could been billowing into the air as 12 fire engines arrived to bring the fire under control.

It started in the roof of a property in Long Acre in Covent Garden and crews were forced to cordon off the area.

The fire started at 1pm on Saturday.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters and officers are dealing with a fire on Long Acre in Covent Garden this afternoon.

"Part of a mansard roof is alight in a building which consists of a shop and five floors of dwellings above it. 

"The Brigade was called at 12.56pm and is still at the scene. Crews from Lambeth, Euston, Soho, Dowgate, Shoreditch, Whitechapel and Chelsea and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. 

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

Witnesses reported seeing smoke "everywhere" after the fire broke out on the roof of a building in Long Acre.

It is not known whether anyone has been injured.

Emily-Jane Tossell tweeted: "Fire in Covent Garden. Hope everyone's ok the smoke was everywhere!"