The blaze broke out at Poundland on High Street around 4.30am today (October 9) and 100 firefighters are still fighting the flames.
A large part of the ground floor of the discount shop is alight and surrounded by fifteen fire engines.
LIVE as 100 firefighters tackle high street inferno at Poundland in Penge
The High Street is closed and the emergency response means “significant traffic disruption” is expected by the London Fire Brigade.
It says: “There is significant traffic disruption due to the number of appliances and the High Street is closed, therefore people are advised to avoid the area.”
Neighbouring properties have been evacuated and residents are being told to keep thor windows shut due to the smoke.
Crews from Beckenham, Forest Hill, Woodside, West Norwood and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
