A man left the scene of a devastating flat fire before firefighters arrived.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters are currently tackling the blaze in Bartholomew Close in the Barbican area.

The London Fire Brigade says that part of two four-roomed flats on the third and fourth floors of a residential block are currently alight.

It added that one man left the building before the brigade arrived and is being treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

The fire service was first called at 3.59pm. It says its 999 control officers have taken more than 35 calls to the blaze. 

Fire crews from Soho, East Greenwich, Lambeth and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. 

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