A TOWERING inferno filled the Penge skyline with smoke and fire last night, drawing a crowd of spectators.

Firefighters from Beckenham station were called to a building site in Thesiger Road at around 8.20pm when a pile of car tyres went up in flames.

A member of the crew on the scene said: "The flames were 20ft high and the smoke reached up 200 feet, engulfing the crane on the site."

He said people living nearby came out of their homes to watch the blaze as four fire engines spent 30 minutes battling the flames.

The firefighter said the blaze was deliberately started, and is being investigated.

Nobody was injured.

Did you see the fire? Do you have photos of the blaze? Call the newsroom on 01689 885721 or email mpurton@london.newsquest.co.uk