Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to after a huge fire destroyed part of an industrial estate in Erith over the weekend.

Almost 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were called to tackle the blaze in Yarnton Way at around 2am on Saturday morning (February 21).

The fire, which could be seen for miles around, completely destroyed a storage warehouse and damaged three lorries and two buildings nearby.

It was brought under control by 5.40am, however firefighters remained at the scene damping down pockets of fire on Saturday and Sunday.

Yarnton Way remained closed to traffic until around 1.45pm on Sunday.

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Photo: Marshall Pinsent

Amateur photographer Marshall Pinsent, of Regent Square, Belvedere was up watching a late night film when the fire started.

The 56-year-old told News Shopper: "There was a great explosion.

"I walked to the window – I live on a hill in Belvedere that looks down on the river – and I just saw this huge plume of swirling smoke and flames.

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Photo: Konrad Cawley

"Then I heard another explosion.

"There were around three or four. Metal and debris were thrown into the air. It looked like fireworks almost.

"I know that area quite well so I know that there are storage units and warehouses down there. I don’t know what they contain but obviously it was highly explosive."

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Photo: London Fire Brigade

Ruth Bere, 48, of Gilbert Road - who lives next to the site - said: "I was up when the initial explosion went off.

"It was just this ‘whoomph’ out the back of the house. I thought someone was trying to kick the back door in.

"The warehouse was just engulfed in fire and smoke. It was instant.

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Photo: Marshall Pinsent

"Even though it was night time you could see the billowing black smoke.

"I called the fire brigade and from then on all you could hear was fire engines coming from all around. The firemen were shouting.

"You just watched the building folding in on itself. By 4 o’clock it was just like the building had melted."

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Photo: London Fire Brigade

Konrad Cawley, of Elstree Gardens in Belvedere, who lives almost a mile away from the warehouse, captured video footage of smoke cascading into the sky above tall, bright flames.

The 52-year-old said: "It was about 2am and I was just online reading the news and looking at YouTube stuff.

"I heard a thud and at first, I thought a car must have crashed. 

"Suddenly, I heard another one and I looked out of the window and saw the sky lit up. 

"And I thought, ‘Cor! That is big.’

"By the time I’d got my camera out, I could hear the sirens."

Video: Konrad Cawley

Police have now released CCTV of a man they want to speak to, who was at the scene of the fire shortly before it began.

The man is described as white and is believed to be in his early 20s. He was wearing distinctive camouflage clothing and a camouflage hat.

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Photo: @Lisiloo

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes of Bexley Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am appealing to anyone who recognises the man in this footage to contact police, or crimestoppers anonymously.

"I am sure that someone will know who he is.

"I would also ask, does anyone know or remember anyone of this description - wearing camouflage clothing - on Friday night into Saturday morning in Erith or the local area?

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Photo: @MPSinthesky

"I would also urge the man seen in the footage to come forward and speak with police.

"Thankfully, no one was hurt but the fire has caused vast damage in the area."

Anyone with information should contact Bexley Police by dialling 101 or call crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.