This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2wvz4pjryo
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 8 | Version 9 |
---|---|
Fire at London electricity substation and tower block under control | Fire at London electricity substation and tower block under control |
(about 3 hours later) | |
More than 100 firefighters have been tackling the flames, which broke out at about 05:30 BST | More than 100 firefighters have been tackling the flames, which broke out at about 05:30 BST |
A large fire that spread from an electricity substation to a block of flats in north-west London has been brought under control, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said. | A large fire that spread from an electricity substation to a block of flats in north-west London has been brought under control, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said. |
Around 80 residents were led to safety after the roof of the building on Aberdeen Place, Maida Vale, caught alight from the blaze, which broke out at about 05:30 BST. | Around 80 residents were led to safety after the roof of the building on Aberdeen Place, Maida Vale, caught alight from the blaze, which broke out at about 05:30 BST. |
No injuries have been reported, although LFB urged local residents to keep their doors and windows closed. | No injuries have been reported, although LFB urged local residents to keep their doors and windows closed. |
UK Power Networks said the cause of the fire was a "fault on a piece of equipment" in its substation. | UK Power Networks said the cause of the fire was a "fault on a piece of equipment" in its substation. |
More than 100 firefighters have been tackling the flames, which sent large clouds of grey smoke into the air. | More than 100 firefighters have been tackling the flames, which sent large clouds of grey smoke into the air. |
LFB's Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne, speaking at the scene, said it was a "technically complex fire to extinguish". | LFB's Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne, speaking at the scene, said it was a "technically complex fire to extinguish". |
He said a major incident was declared at 08:26 and stood down at 10:53. | He said a major incident was declared at 08:26 and stood down at 10:53. |
Assistant Commissioner Goulbourne added: "We have a scientific adviser on site that is closely monitoring the quality of the air in the area. | Assistant Commissioner Goulbourne added: "We have a scientific adviser on site that is closely monitoring the quality of the air in the area. |
"Firefighting operations will continue for some time to ensure we fully extinguish the transformer in the substation." | "Firefighting operations will continue for some time to ensure we fully extinguish the transformer in the substation." |
UK Power Networks said the substation remained operational and there had been no interruption to the electricity supply. | UK Power Networks said the substation remained operational and there had been no interruption to the electricity supply. |
London Fire Brigade's Patrick Goulbourne urged residents to keep windows and doors closed | London Fire Brigade's Patrick Goulbourne urged residents to keep windows and doors closed |
Sanna Daw, who lives in a nearby block, told the BBC she had seen "bright orange flames" that were 6 - 8 ft high (about 1.8m - 2.4m) and a "huge billowing black plume" of smoke rise from the burning building. | Sanna Daw, who lives in a nearby block, told the BBC she had seen "bright orange flames" that were 6 - 8 ft high (about 1.8m - 2.4m) and a "huge billowing black plume" of smoke rise from the burning building. |
"At one stage there was a big eruption... I was quite scared," she said. | "At one stage there was a big eruption... I was quite scared," she said. |
One resident who had to leave her home said she had been awoken by her mother at about 05:30 who had smelled the fire burning. | One resident who had to leave her home said she had been awoken by her mother at about 05:30 who had smelled the fire burning. |
'I felt the heat' | 'I felt the heat' |
Alice Bazzi said as the morning went on, the flames became "higher than these trees" before catching the roof of her building. | Alice Bazzi said as the morning went on, the flames became "higher than these trees" before catching the roof of her building. |
She said the fire grew worse until "some sort inferno blow-up happened". | She said the fire grew worse until "some sort inferno blow-up happened". |
Using her hands to mimic the sudden rising of flames, she added: "You didn't hear it but you just saw it, it went 'phew'. | Using her hands to mimic the sudden rising of flames, she added: "You didn't hear it but you just saw it, it went 'phew'. |
"You felt it on your face, I felt the heat." | "You felt it on your face, I felt the heat." |
Peter, another resident of a nearby block, said he was not initially too concerned about the fire but it "grew then it grew some more". | |
Speaking to BBC London on Tuesday afternoon, he said he and his wife had been unable to return to his flat since the morning evacuation. | |
"We're still not quite sure if we'll get back into our flat tonight or us and our cat will be in a hotel," Peter said. | |
"It's not a good feeling, but we're safe and sound." | |
Large clouds of smoke can be seen coming from the site | Large clouds of smoke can be seen coming from the site |
LFB said it had received more than 170 calls about the fire, which it described as "very visible". | LFB said it had received more than 170 calls about the fire, which it described as "very visible". |
A UK Power Networks spokesperson said: "Our teams are working with the fire service to make the equipment safe. | A UK Power Networks spokesperson said: "Our teams are working with the fire service to make the equipment safe. |
"This is an isolated incident and customers' supplies were not impacted." | "This is an isolated incident and customers' supplies were not impacted." |
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk |