Five-storey Kensington home on fire with 100 firefighters at the scene
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Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines are battling a blaze at a five-storey town house in Kensington, London.
The "wall void" area between the basement ceiling and the ground floor chimney of the large property on Vicarage Gate is alight.
Roads in the local area are closed whilst firefighters work to put out the blaze.
Members of the public are being advised to avoid the area, London Fire Brigade said.
Station Commander Jon Singleton, who is at the scene, said: "Firefighters are tackling a complex fire at a town house.
"Crews are using specialist cutting equipment to gain access to the fire and are working swiftly to bring it under control.
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"A turntable ladder is being used to provide a bird's eye view and monitor the incident."
In an update posted to Twitter at 3:35pm, London Fire Brigade announced crews are making "steady progress" in extinguishing the fire.
A photo from the scene shows one firefighter in an extended turntable ladder in front of the building, while a number of others on the ground aim their hoses into the windows of the house.
Thick smoke can be seen pouring from the building.
London Fire Brigade was called at 12:54pm on Thursday, with crews from Kensington, Hammersmith, North Kensington and Paddington rushing to the scene.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
Kensington and Chelsea Council say they are aware of the unfolding incident.
Vicarage Gate, in the heart of the upmarket north London borough of Kensington, is located just across the road from Kensington Palace.
Firefighters working to contain the blaze are having to do so in below freezing temperatures with snow still covering much of the city following an icy few days.
The temperature in north London is currently -1C.
- Fire
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