A man has been taken to hospital and hundreds of people have been evacuated from shops and homes as 72 fire fighters are tackling a huge fire in a workshop.

More than 45 calls were made to emergency services after the blaze broke out in Watling Avenue, in Edgware, at 3.37pm this afternoon.

Road closures are currently in place around the vicinity and Burnt Oak Tube Station is also closed as half of a single storey workshop at the back of a row of shops with flats above is alight.

One man was taken to hospital before the arrival of the brigade and around 500 people have been forced to leave flats and shops in the surrounding area over fears gas cylinders at the site of the fire could explode.

Station Manager Sean Madeley, who is at the scene, said: "The fire is in the workshop behind a shop and flats.

"Gas cylinders are believed to be involved in the incident.

"As a result a hazard zone has been set up as cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.

"The whole of Watling Avenue has been closed. Please avoid the area if possible."

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