Dozens of people have been left homeless after a major fire broke out in a block of flats on Bank Holiday Monday.

More than 60 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze at its height after the roof storage area of Jubilee Court in London Road, Thornton Heath caught fire at 4.30pm.

Police were forced to close London Road between Thornton Heath Pond and Leander Road as plumes of smoke filled nearby streets.

Relief firefighters worked through the night to douse the flames, and were still at the scene as the Croydon Guardian went to press to ensure the blaze did not re-ignite.

More than 40 people living in the block were taken by bus to the nearby Whitehorse Road resource centre, where they were given blankets, food and medical care by council staff and volunteers from the Red Cross.

Red Cross emergency planning officer Blair Laird, who led the team on the night, said: “At times we had up to 70 people in a hall, all either upset or unsure what was happening.

“Obviously a lot of people were distressed and a lot needed access to phones and medical supplies, or just reassurance and emotional support.”

Some families have since found emergency accommodation with family and friends, while others have been put up in hotels around the borough.

No one was injured during the blaze, but one man had to be taken to hospital later to treat a pre-existing condition.

The storage area was completely destroyed by the fire, while the roof suffered serious structural damage.

Firefighters managed to prevent the blaze spreading to the residential floors, although much of the building remains uninhabitable due to water damage.

Mr Laird added: “All the people we had there were volunteers, some obviously have day jobs as well so they were giving up their free time to help and still had to get up for work in the morning.

“This is what the Red Cross does on a regular basis.”

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Red Cross can call 020 8944 0246 or visit redcross.org.uk.