Onlookers said the lorry which caught on fire in central London near the city's O2 Arena was "100% a BBC World News" truck which "exploded five times"."

An onlooker, 42, said he hoped it was a controlled intentional fire, which was part of filming near East India Dock in London at around 8pm tonight.

The man, who works in set design, said filming often happens in the area for series like Married at First Sight.

But he said he noticed the BBC truck before it caught fire, because it was less common for the channel to film in the area.

He said he was certain the vehicle which caught fire and exploded was a "red mobile editing" vehicle which said "BBC World News" on the side."

He said: "It was a BBC camera truck where they do the editing - the mobile trucks that follow the teams around."

"They were doing filming here."

We saw them.

"The BBC doesn't do filming here usually, so I noticed it."

"I saw 'BBC World News' on the side of it and it was red."

"I'm 100% sure."

At first I wasn't sure if it was an accident or part of something they are filming - I'm still not.

"It exploded about five times."

London Fire Service said: "Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at an open air yard on Dock Road in Silvertown. "

"One van was destroyed by the fire and most of a car and lorry were damaged by the fire. There are currently no reports of any injuries."

"The Brigade was called at 1951 and the fire was under control by 2102. Crews from Poplar, Millwall, Shadwell, East Greenwich attended the scene."