Jamaica Road: Van bursts into flames on busy south London road

A busy road in south-east London was shut tonight after a van caught fire in the middle of the carriageway.

Police were called to Jamaica Road, at the junction with Southwark Park Road, at 6.21pm to reports of a van on fire.

Dramatic pictures from the scene show a vehicle engulfed by flames as the blaze took hold.

Travel agent Irene Coello, 26, described a scene of chaos as she spotted the fire as she walked to Bermondsey station from London Bridge.

She told the Standard: “It was a massive fire. I was quite scared because you could see the whole van ablaze.

“People were stopping and getting out of their cars but not too close. I don’t know why it happened but there was a lot of smoke.”

A Transport for London spokeswoman said the A200 Jamaica Road was blocked in both directions initially but the road has since reopened.

According to TfL Traffic News, traffic travelling westbound has stretched back through the Rotherhithe Tunnel.

A Met spokesman said no-one was inside the vehicle and the incident was being treated as non-suspicious.

A London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said there were no details of the incident.

Police were earlier called to Jamaica Road after a four-car crash at around 3.20pm.

A spokesman said no-one was injured.