Dramatic scenes unfolded in East London this afternoon as a major fire sent plumes of thick black smoke billowing across the capital's skyline, visible for miles around.
The blaze erupted at a construction site adjacent to the Blackwall Tunnel approach in Greenwich, close to the ongoing Silvertown Tunnel project, prompting a massive emergency service response.
Emergency Response in Action
London Fire Brigade dispatched eight fire engines and approximately 60 firefighters to tackle the intense blaze near the A102 Blackwall Tunnel southern approach. Crews worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control as concerned residents reported hearing explosions and seeing flames shooting into the air.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson confirmed: "We were called at 1.20pm to reports of a fire at a construction site near the Blackwall Tunnel. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters have been tackling a fire involving construction equipment and materials."
Travel Chaos and Road Closures
The incident caused significant disruption to one of London's key river crossings. The A102 Blackwall Tunnel southern approach was completely closed to traffic, creating rush-hour chaos for thousands of commuters.
Transport for London issued urgent warnings to motorists to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. The closure affected both the tunnel itself and surrounding roads in the Greenwich and Silvertown areas.
Public Health Warning Issued
Authorities issued health advice to local residents as the thick smoke spread across neighbouring areas. People living and working nearby were advised to keep windows and doors closed to avoid inhaling potentially harmful fumes.
The scale of the fire was such that the smoke plume could be seen from multiple boroughs across the capital, with social media quickly filling with images and videos of the dramatic scenes.
Ongoing Situation
As emergency services continued to battle the blaze, investigations were underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. The proximity to the major Silvertown Tunnel construction project added complexity to the operation.
This incident represents one of the most significant fires seen in the area in recent years and highlights the challenges of managing major construction projects in densely populated urban environments.
