A major incident has been declared after a large warehouse and retail building caught fire in Southall, sending a thick plume of smoke across West London and prompting widespread evacuations.
The London Fire Brigade said 25 fire engines and about 150 firefighters were called to Bridge Road at 8.55am after dozens of emergency calls from the public.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne, the incident commander, said: “A major incident has been declared as firefighters tackle a warehouse fire on Bridge Road, Southall. This decision has been taken due to the suspected presence of fireworks and cylinders being stored within the structure. All firefighters have withdrawn to a safe distance and are now fighting the fire from a greater distance to ensure crew safety.”
He said crews were working to contain flames that had engulfed about three quarters of the two storey building. Three turntable ladders have been deployed to allow firefighters to attack the blaze from height.
AC Goulbourne said: “The incident involves a mixed retail and warehouse space, with a significant part of the structure currently alight. Due to the complex nature of the site, and the size of the fire, this will be a protracted incident with crews continuing firefighting operations through the day.”
Three schools and a nearby residential block have been evacuated as a precaution. Residents have been urged to keep doors and windows closed due to heavy smoke, which is visible across a wide area. Local roads are severely disrupted and people have been asked to avoid the area.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
