Dozens of firefighters are tackling an enormous fire in east London which has forced two rail lines out of action. 

Video footage posted to social media shows dark smoke billowing into the air over an aggressive fire near Hackney Downs Station on Sunday evening. 

Eight fire engines and 60 firefighters have rushed from stations across east London to fight the blaze, which erupted just a short walk from the railway station in a residential building called Cottrill Gardens. 

A static caravan and two cars have been ‘set alight’, the London Fire Brigade said, as well as part of a grass embankment. 

The incident has forced Transport for London to suspend two rail lines running through Hackney while it ‘responds to reports of a fire’. 

Severe delays have been reported on the Mildmay Line, with no service between Stratford and Gospel Oak.

The Weaver Line, which runs from Liverpool Street to Chingford, is meanwhile totally out of action.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and firefighters remain at the scene.   

Dozens of firefighters are tackling an enormous blaze near Hackney Downs Station in east London

Video footage posted to social media shows dark smoke billowing into the air over an aggressive fire near Hackney Downs Station on Sunday evening

A statement from the London Fire Brigade read: ‘Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters are tackling a fire on Cottrill Gardens in Hackney.

‘A static caravan and two cars are alight, as well as part of a grass embankment.

‘Control Officers took the first of over 20 calls at 1810 and have mobilised crews from Homerton, Leyton, Whitechapel and surrounding fire stations to the scene.

‘The cause of the fire is not yet known.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow.