This dramatic footage shows the size of the electrical substation fire in London earlier today (Tues) - as an evacuated local spoke of her frightening ordeal.

Around 100 residents in a block of flats in Maida Vale, West London, were evacuated following the blaze, which broke out in the early hours.

Video filmed from a nearby flat window shows flames and a huge cloud of smoke billowing from the nearby building.

A 38-year-old resident, who lives in the affected block with her partner and baby, has described the frightening moment they first saw the flames before being evacuated.

She said: "There was a knock at the door and my partner went to open it when he saw the flames and ran to wake me up. "

"We ran to the window and watched it for a little bit until the windows started to get really hot. The fire brigade started banging on the door and evacuated everyone from the building. "

"We took our baby and pet hedgehog and ran out of the door. It was terrifying. I was shaking as I was getting my stuff ready. We could see the flat in front had caught fire as well as the roof. "

"The roof basically slid off, it just crumbled down and left a huge gaping hole. That residence isn't live able at the moment."

The resident says her flat was left with cracked windows and was melted on the outside, but that in comparison to some neighbours she was "very lucky."

She added: "If the wind had been blowing on our side it would have been us who lost our home."

After a few hours, the family say they have now been let back into their property and the fire has been completely extinguished.

Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters attended the scene, and London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said there are no reported injuries.

LFB's assistant commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: "This was a very visible fire with Control Officers taking over 170 calls. "

"The fire has also been producing a lot of smoke and although the amount of smoke has significantly reduced, we continue to advise residents to keep their windows and doors closed at this time. "

"One of our scientific advisors is on site and is closely monitoring the air quality in the area. Around 100 residents were evacuated from their homes but some have now returned. "

"Due to the fire involving a high-profile piece of infrastructure that was affecting nearby residential buildings, a major incident was declared by London Fire Brigade at 0826. I am pleased to report that this declaration was stood down at 1053. "

"However, firefighting operations will continue for some time on the transformer at the substation. To combat this technically complex fire, crews have been deploying foam to suppress the flames. The foam works by smothering the fire and cutting off its fuel source, preventing reignition."

LFB was called at 05:29am and fire crews from Paddington, Euston and surrounding fire stations all attended.