A scrap yard fire sent smoke billowing across a busy ring road causing chaos for commuters this morning. 

The blaze at the junk yard in Wanstead Park Road, Ilford started at 5.45am today (Monday, April 24) and saw large clouds of smoke cloud the A406 North Circular. 

The road was shut for over an hour while six fire engines and 35 firefighters tackled the flames. 

London Fire Brigade (LFB) officers raced against time to make sure gas cylinders at the site did not explode from the heat of the flames. 

LFB station manager Kevin Eager said: "The North Circular was temporarily closed but has now reopened. Motorists were advised to avoid the area.  

"Crews will remain at the scene damping down remaining pockets of fire.” 

The fire were under control at 8.47am, but the cause of it is still unclear.