The O2 arena Silvertown fire: Firefighters tackle London blaze


On Saturday evening, a “controlled explosion” on a film set in London led to a fire that inspired havoc. The London Fire Brigade was quick to act, with 25 firefighters and four fire engines deployed to the scene near Dock Road and Trinity Buoy Wharf in Silvertown soon after 7:51 p.m. The flames engulfed a van that was destroyed, along with heavy damage sustained by two other vehicles.

A fire at an outdoor yard across the river from the stadium was declared by the Metropolitan Police, which added that there was no public danger and that the incident was part of pre-planned filming. Before this announcement, terrified residents could see a plume of billowing smoke, and the explosion-induced noise had been heard from across the Thames to the neighbouring O2 arena. 

The “fire spread out and spark,” said the statement from the London Fire Brigade. The incident continues to be monitored, and the crew will be at the scene for the rest of the evening. At the time of this writing, no accounts of injuries were received by the authorities.

Kieran McHugh, who happened to be on his computer when the three loud noises occurred, told BBC News that he noticed a massive black cloud rising with the flames into the sky. He added that he had not received any notification of filming from the local authorities. BBC News has since confirmed through a spokesperson that the event did not involve the company. The unexpected explosion and subsequent fire took those who witnessed the scene by surprise. “Carnage,” one social media user wrote to describe it

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More