A dramatic explosion in Ilford led to a fierce house fire, prompting 60 firefighters to respond and control the blaze by early evening.
Ilford: A house in east London caught fire after a big explosion on Tuesday afternoon. It was quite a scene!
About 60 firefighters and eight fire engines rushed to Ley Street just after 4 PM. The fire spread quickly, affecting the first floor and loft.
People nearby shared videos online showing the explosion, and you could see residents panicking as they called for help.
Fire Station Commander Darren McTernan mentioned that the firefighters worked hard to get the fire under control. They planned to stay on-site for a while.
Traffic was impacted since Ley Street was closed between Eastern Avenue and Vicarage Road. So, if you’re in the area, it’s best to steer clear.
They even used a 32-meter ladder to spray water from above, and a drone team helped out by giving an aerial view of the situation.
The fire brigade received the first call about the fire at 4:09 PM and quickly sent crews from nearby stations to help out.
By 6:23 PM, they had the fire under control, which is pretty impressive given the circumstances.
The police were also called around the same time and worked alongside the fire brigade and ambulance services.
Jas Athwal, the local MP, posted on X, urging people to stay away from the area while emergency services were on the scene.
Councillor Khayer Chowdhury said they were ready to help with cleanup and support residents affected by the fire.
As of now, they’re still figuring out what caused the fire.