Dagenham, East London – A significant blaze at an industrial estate in Dagenham sent thick plumes of black smoke billowing across the London skyline this afternoon, as firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to the scene on Willoughby Drive shortly after 2pm on Monday following reports of a fire involving multiple vehicles, scrap metal, and containers. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were swiftly deployed from nearby stations including Dagenham, Barking, Wennington, Hornchurch and Romford.
According to the Brigade, three shipping containers, a number of vehicles, and a substantial quantity of scrap metal caught alight, prompting a rapid and large-scale emergency response. Huge clouds of smoke could be seen for miles around, sparking concern among residents and businesses across the capital.
Residents warned to stay indoors
The LFB has issued a strong advisory for those in the vicinity to keep windows and doors shut due to the heavy smoke in the air, which poses a potential risk to health. Station Commander Mel Anderson, who is overseeing operations at the scene, said: “This is a very visible fire and it is producing a lot of smoke. We advise people in the area to keep their windows and doors closed. We also request that drivers avoid Rainham Road South with road closures in place whilst this incident is ongoing.”
As a precaution, two gas cylinders found near the blaze were removed and cooled to a safe ambient temperature. Certain gas cylinders can explode if exposed to extreme heat, which posed an additional hazard to crews tackling the flames.
Over 50 emergency calls received
The Brigade’s Control Officers received more than 50 emergency calls from concerned members of the public reporting the fire and its rapidly spreading smoke. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and alarm, with the smoke darkening the sky and the smell of burning metal and rubber filling the air.
Emergency services were praised for their swift and professional response, arriving promptly and working through intense heat and hazardous conditions to prevent the fire from spreading further.
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The fire was brought under control by 4.23pm, though crews remained on-site to fully extinguish hotspots and ensure the area was safe. No injuries have been reported at this time, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Community on alert
Local authorities and the fire brigade have urged residents to remain alert and follow all safety instructions as investigations continue. Many businesses on the industrial estate were evacuated, and some were left assessing potential damage to their property.
Social media was quickly flooded with images and videos of the smoke rising high above Dagenham, visible from various points across East London. The incident also caused significant disruption to traffic in the area, with road closures and diversions in place.
This fire marks another in a recent string of industrial incidents that have tested the response capabilities of emergency services in the capital. The London Fire Brigade is continuing to monitor the area and will release further updates once the cause of the fire is determined.
For now, residents are reminded to heed all public safety advice, particularly regarding air quality, and to check for updates from the London Fire Brigade via official channels.
