Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines have tackled a huge fire at a waste facility near Wembley Stadium which caused major disruption across London’s transport network.
The blaze broke out at an industrial estate on Hannah Close in Neasden, north-west London, on Friday, 28 August.
London Fire Brigade received the first of more than 70 emergency calls reporting the fire at approximately 11.34am.
Fire crews from Wembley, Park Royal, Willesden and surrounding stations were sent to the scene as a huge plume of dark smoke became visible across large parts of London.
The fire affected a mixed-waste facility in an industrial unit measuring approximately 100 metres by 150 metres.
Residents in the immediate area were advised to remain indoors where possible and keep their windows and doors closed because of the amount of smoke being produced.
Three of London Fire Brigade’s 32-metre ladders were deployed as part of the response.
Specialist equipment including a hose-laying unit and high-volume pump was also used as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
The location of the fire alongside important railway infrastructure resulted in significant disruption to public transport.
Transport for London suspended the entire Metropolitan line during the incident.
The Jubilee line was also partially suspended, while National Rail services travelling to and from London Marylebone experienced delays and cancellations.
A nearby Amazon facility on the industrial estate was evacuated as a precaution, although it was not the building involved in the fire.
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The scale of the smoke meant the incident could be seen from several miles away, with images and video showing a large dark plume rising above north-west London.
London Fire Brigade brought the main blaze under control later on Friday, although crews remained at the scene dealing with the aftermath.
The incident came during a particularly busy Bank Holiday weekend for Britain’s transport network, increasing the impact of the Tube and rail disruption on passengers travelling across London.
The Metropolitan line passes immediately alongside the industrial area affected by the fire, while the Jubilee line also serves nearby Wembley Park.
Rail services travelling between London Marylebone and destinations including Aylesbury were affected because lines close to the incident could not initially be used normally.
The fire was also less than a mile from Wembley Stadium, although there was no suggestion that the stadium itself was involved.
Waste and recycling facilities can present particularly complex challenges for firefighters because of the quantity and variety of materials stored on site.
However, the precise cause of the Neasden fire has not yet been established.
London Fire Brigade confirmed that the cause remains under investigation.
Until investigators complete their work, any suggestion about what initially ignited the fire should therefore be treated as unconfirmed.
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Sources
London Fire Brigade – Fire in Neasden
The Guardian – Large Fire Near Wembley Stadium Disrupts Tube and Rail Services
