Major incident as fireworks suspected in Southall warehouse fire

Major incident as fireworks suspected in Southall warehouse fire

A significant fire broke out at a warehouse in west London, with fireworks and gas cylinders believed to have been stored inside the building. The incident, which began on Bridge Road in Southall’s Middlesex Business Park, triggered a large emergency response. Although the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has now downgraded the major incident status, firefighting efforts are expected to continue through the night.

At around 08:55 GMT, approximately 150 firefighters and 25 fire engines were dispatched to tackle the blaze. Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne explained that due to reported explosions, all firefighters had to retreat to a safer distance, opting to combat the fire without being directly on site. The two-storey structure housing both warehouse and retail spaces suffered significant damage, with three-quarters engulfed in flames and the roof collapsing during the fire.

As part of safety precautions, three nearby schools and a residential building were evacuated. Ealing Council has been assisting displaced residents, with over 100 people taking refuge at a designated rest centre. Several fire engines and firefighters from Southall, Heston, Ealing, and even the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service joined the operation, which had been initially launched with only 70 personnel but was later expanded due to the scale of the fire. The brigade employed three turntable ladders to fight the fire from above.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and fortunately, no injuries have been reported according to the London Ambulance Service. Due to the heavy smoke generated by the fire, authorities have advised nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed while emergency crews continue their response. The ongoing situation remains complex, with crews maintaining their efforts overnight to bring the fire under control

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