Massive Blaze Engulfs Disused Building in Kingston Town Centre
A huge fire broke out in a disused commercial building on Richmond Road, Kingston, at around 2:20pm today. The London Fire Brigade unleashed a massive emergency response, sending 150 firefighters and 15 fire engines to tackle the inferno.
Thick Smoke Chokes Kingston as Fire Rages
Thick plumes of smoke billowed high into the sky, causing major disruption in and around the town centre. Richmond Road, a crucial artery into Kingston, was quickly gridlocked as emergency crews fought the blaze. Residents nearby were urged to stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut due to heavy smoke.
Station Commander Will Thompson said: “Crews are making steady progress in tackling the fire. We urge people to avoid the area to help reduce disruption and assist emergency services.”
High-Rise Ladders and Tactical Response
Firefighters deployed two 32-metre turntable ladders as observation towers, giving crews a bird’s-eye view to better contain the flames. The full extent of the damage to the building remains unknown, with teams battling the blaze well into the evening.
Road Closures and Travel Chaos
- Richmond Road is heavily congested due to rerouted traffic.
- Kingston Council confirmed multiple bus routes are diverted, including the 65, 111, 281, 285, 411, and SL7.
Health Services on High Alert
The London Ambulance Service has an incident response officer at the scene. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far. Emergency medical crews remain on standby as a precaution.
A LAS spokesperson urged: “Please try to avoid the area and if you live nearby, stay indoors and keep your windows closed.”
Fire Cause Still Unknown
Investigations into what sparked the blaze are ongoing. Fire investigators are expected to start their work once the fire is fully contained.
Incident Ongoing – Stay Tuned
The situation is still developing. Emergency services will remain on site for some time to prevent the fire spreading and to protect neighbouring properties.
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