Battersea Arts Centre
Battersea Arts Centre Battersea Arts Centre Facebook / Pau Ros

A major fire has broken out at South London's iconic Battersea Arts Centre.

London Fire Brigade currently has 12 fire engines on the scene, with around 80 firefighters battling the blaze.

The emergency service told IBTimes UK the cause of the fire is unknown and it was called to the location at around 4.15pm on 13 March.

The Twittersphere erupted with support soon after the fire broke out, with reports that police and paramedics have also been called.

The much loved building is Grade II listed Victorian town hall with spectacular Grand Hall and a stained glass-domed and marble foyer.

The firefighters are seemingly struggling to get the blaze under control with Twitter saying that the back roof has "completely collapsed" as more personnel arrive on the scene.

However, Battersea Arts Centre confirmed on the social media site that everyone had made it out safely.