Shepherd's Bush fire: 50 people made homeless by 'horror' blaze in London tower block

'It's like something out of a horror film. It's ghastly'

London Fire Brigade received more than 40 emergency calls (@liam_twomey/PA Wire)

A fire which ripped through a tower block in west London has left 50 people temporarily homeless.

The blaze ripped through five stories of the building at Shepherd's Court in Shepherd's Bush Green on Friday afternoon.

At its peak, 20 fire engines and 120 firefighters attended the blaze. The service received more than 40 emergency calls about the fire.

Smoke could be seen across the area, while videos posted on social media showed flames billowing out of a seventh floor window.

#shepherdsbush fire just by the W12. Shocking. #sheperdsbushfire #w12 #westfield pic.twitter.com/9RpvBQ9F8W

— frey (@freyavsl) August 19, 2016

One woman was treated for smoke inhalation and shock, but London Fire Brigade (LFB) said there were no other reports of injuries or unaccounted persons.

The fire affected five floors in the 18-story block of flats.

Station manager Paul Hobbs was at the scene. He said: "The fire spread from the seventh floor via the outside of the building. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used jets to extinguish the fire on each floor of the building. They worked quickly in difficult conditions to tackle the fire."

Witness Helena Noifield told BBC Radio London: "Everyone's standing around not knowing where to go.

"It's all pretty horrible really. There's ash everywhere, smoke everywhere... it's like something out of a horror film. It's ghastly."

The fire was under control by 5.32pm but crews remained at the scene on Friday evening damping down.

The LFB said the cause of fire was under investigation.