A van went up in flames today and its petrol tank "exploded" on a major road in central London.
The blaze erupted at the entrance to the underpass on Euston Road and sent thick black smoke billowing up into the sky.
Photos of the scene showed people leaning over railings to get a better view of the fire after it broke out at about 12.40pm.
One bystander wrote: “Car on fire in the Euston under pass. Petrol tank just exploded.”
Richard Morris tweeted that police were asking drivers to reverse away from the fire, as traffic built up in the area.
And Will Hoyle said the incident had sent clouds of white smoke out of the undperpass before being replaced by thick black plumes.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed they were called to the fire at 12.38pm and the blaze was out around half an hour later.
Police cordoned off the underpass, causing congestion towards King's Cross station and the Marylebone flyover.
The road has since reopened in both directions.
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