The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal building in central London was on fire this evening with around 60 firefighters working to quell the flames.

The home of Britain's immigration service is thought to be undergoing renovation works and the fire brigade have cordoned off the surrounding streets in case propane canisters on the roof are ignited.

A huge cloud of black smoke could be seen billowing hundreds of feet into the air close to the Inns of Court as 12 fire engines tackled the blaze.

The fire is believed to have started on the fifth floor of the building and spread to the roof in the centre of London's legal district around Chancery Lane.

The immigration office is in a block formerly known as the Breams Building. Everybody is thought to have been evacuated safely with no injuries.

A lawyer who works in the next door office of Beachcroft LLB said he was evacuated at around 4.30pm, 40 minutes after the blaze began.

"At first we were told there was a fire but we could continue working. Then the fire brigade apparently lost control of the situation and we were suddenly evacuated," he said.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: "The roof area and fifth floor are alight. The building was believed to be under refurbishment."

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• How I lost the gift of joy for a while
• Why Ann Widdecombe has got it wrong
• Alas, it’s the end of the road for petrolheads