These were the amazing scenes as Battersea Power Station appeared to explode in the dead of night last night.
The emergency services were flooded with calls from local residents who feared the defunct electricity generating plant had been targeted by terrorists.
But they were reassured the 200ft fireball, accompanied by columns of grey smoke, which could bee seen for miles across the capital, was a special effect for the latest Batman film.
The spectacular stunt scene, in which Batman actor Christian Bale narrowly cheats death, is believed to be the opening sequence of the fifth caped crusader movie The Dark Knight.
Resident Marck Jason, 24, of Battersea, said: “I was gobsmacked. I was just walking home and saw this bloody huge explosion.
“Obviously my first thought was that it was a terrorist attack and I dialed 999."
“I know it’s sort of cool that the place is being used for a film, as its a brilliant building, but a bit of warning wouldn’t have hurt.”
