Firefighters evacuated staff at two banks and the occupants of a block of flats when a blaze broke out this afternoon.

A total of six fire engines and four ambulances were called to Vivian Avenue shortly before 2pm when the fire started.

Police have closed off one lane of Vivian Avenue and the northbound carriage of Hendon Way.

Firefighters used a cherry picker to tackle the flames in the roof of the flats.

Staff at HSBC and Natwest were evacuated along with residents of the flats.

Crews now seem to have the blaze under control and staff have been let back into the Natwest branch.