A massive fire tore through an industrial yard in Enfield in the early hours of Tuesday, destroying a warehouse and severely damaging multiple vehicles. The blaze, which broke out at around 02:00 GMT on Whitewebbs Lane, sent thick smoke drifting across the M25 between junctions 24 and 25, prompting warnings to drivers.
London Fire Brigade deployed 72 firefighters to tackle the inferno, which involved a 150-metre by 100-metre stack of wooden pallets and a warehouse. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham Ellis described it as "a difficult fire to fight" and praised the crews for working "exceptionally hard".
Eight cars, seven forklift trucks, six lorries and three caravans in the yard were also badly damaged. Two men staying in a caravan managed to escape uninjured before firefighters arrived. Crews removed 35 propane cylinders from the site, but warned that others may still be in the vicinity.
Highways England reported that ash and sparks were drifting towards both carriageways of the motorway. Whitewebbs Lane remains closed, but Tottenham Hotspur Football Club confirmed that its state-of-the-art training centre, located on the road, is still open and operating normally.
Fire crews from Enfield, Edmonton and surrounding areas responded to the incident. The brigade said the blaze is now under control, but firefighters remain at the scene damping down pockets of fire.
