Firefighters urged members of the public to keep their doors and windows shut as they tackled a huge blaze in Erith, southeast London – the cause of the fire is being investigated
Families have been told keep their doors and windows shut this morning after a huge fire tore through an industrial yard.
Fire crews dashed to the scene in Erith, southeast London after receiving more than 20 calls about the fire from around 4am. Multiple vehicles and outbuildings were alight at the industrial yard near the River Thames, and a large amount of smoke was produced by the fire, leading residents across Erith to be asked to keep doors and windows closed until further notice. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were in attendance on the road, which connects the Slade Green area in the east to the centre of Erith in the west.
Firefighters said five cars, one lorry and a single storey outbuilding were caught in the fire, which was finally extinguished just after 7am this morning. An investigation has been launched into the cause.
A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire at an industrial yard on Manor Road, Erith.
“Five cars, one lorry and a single storey outbuilding were involved in the fire. A large amount of smoke was initially being produced by the fire, so residents in the local area were advised to keep doors and windows shut where possible as crews responded.
“Firefighters deployed a Hose Layer and High Volume Pump as part of their response, increasing the amount of water available for firefighting operations. A number of cylinders were removed from the vicinity of the fire and cooled to an ambient temperature by crews.
“The Brigade received the first of over 20 calls reporting the fire at 0407, and fire engines from Plumstead, Erith, Bexley and surrounding fire stations were mobilised to the scene. Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service also attended this incident. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control by 0701.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation officers.”
The Brigade received the first of over 20 calls reporting the fire at 0407, and crews from Plumstead, Erith, Bexley and surrounding fire stations are at the scene. Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service are also in attendance. The cause of the fire is not yet known.”
The flood of emergency calls saw firefighters dispatch crews from Plumstead, Erith, Bexley and surrounding stations. Reinforcements have since arrived from Kent Fire and Rescue Service to assist the ongoing efforts.
The units deployed a Hose Layer and High Volume Pump as part of the response, to increase the amount of water available for firefighting operations.
A van fire caused authorities in Middlesbrough, Teesside, to order people to stay away from a residential area on Monday. After several hours, the fire brigade said: “Cleveland Fire Brigade were called on [today] at 9.45am to an incident on Whin Street in Middlesbrough.
“One fire engine was in attendance from Grangetown. One van well alight. Breathing apparatus and hose reel in use. We got the stop at 10.22.”
Also speaking on Monday, Cleveland Constabulary said: “Police were made aware of this vehicle fire via CCTV operators but officers were not required to attend. This was left for Fire Brigade to deal with.”