A major fire that engulfed a warehouse and retail unit in West London has been brought under control after a large-scale emergency response involving 150 firefighters.
Massive Emergency Response
The incident began on Tuesday morning just before 9am at a two-storey structure on Bridge Road in Southall. The London Fire Brigade deployed 25 fire engines and approximately 150 firefighters to tackle the rapidly spreading blaze.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne, who served as incident commander, reported that crews encountered significant dangers during firefighting operations. Explosions were reported at the scene, later attributed to fireworks and cylinders stored within the building.
Safety Measures and Evacuations
Due to the suspected presence of explosive materials, authorities declared a major incident at 12.20pm on Tuesday. This prompted the immediate withdrawal of all firefighters to a safe distance as a precautionary measure.
Nearby residential buildings and three schools were evacuated to ensure public safety. Residents across west London were advised to keep their windows and doors closed as large plumes of smoke became visible across the area.
At the height of the emergency, approximately three-quarters of the building was alight, creating a significant challenge for fire crews working to contain the blaze.
Current Situation and Investigation
By Wednesday morning, the London Fire Brigade confirmed that the fire on Bridge Road was under control, though firefighters remained on scene to extinguish remaining pockets of fire within the structure.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of any injuries resulting from the incident. The cause of the fire is now under joint investigation by the London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police Service.
The brigade has reduced its presence at the site as the situation stabilises, marking the beginning of the recovery and investigation phase following the dramatic emergency response.
