LONDON- British firefighters said on Tuesday a fire at London's Westminster underground station, next to the Houses of Parliament, was under control after it sent fire engines to tackle an incident.

"Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters are at the scene of a fire at Westminster Station on Bridge Street in Westminster," London Fire Brigade said on Twitter earlier.

They later said the incident was under control.

A Reuters witness saw several hoses being extended into the station, with police vans also in attendance.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is away at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester with his most senior colleagues in government, while parliament is in recess.

(Reporting by William James, writing by Alistair Smout; Editing by Kate Holton and Paul Sandle) ((alistair.smout@thomsonreuters.com; +44 207 542 7064; Reuters Messaging: alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))