A major emergency response was launched overnight after a house fire broke out in Walthamstow, with the property believed to have been used as a cannabis factory.
Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were called to Knebworth Avenue, Walthamstow, E17, shortly before 3am today (Thursday, 21 August).
The blaze was declared a Level Two hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incident, prompting specialist crews to attend due to the risks involved.
The fire tore through the terraced property and quickly spread concerns of further ignition in neighbouring homes.
Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform to tackle the flames from above while multiple crews worked at ground level to bring the incident under control.
Police officers were called to assist with crowd and traffic management. Chingford Road, near the A406 junction, was closed to allow emergency vehicles to assemble at the scene.
The London Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) was also deployed, reflecting the scale of the operation and the risk of the blaze spreading.
No injuries have been reported at this stage.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but early indications suggest the house may have been operating as a cannabis factory.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“Crews worked extremely hard in challenging conditions to prevent the fire from spreading. Due to the nature of the premises, the incident was declared a Level Two HAZMAT, and additional resources were mobilised. Our fire investigators will remain on scene to establish the cause.”
Residents in nearby properties were advised to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke in the area.
Police enquiries are ongoing.
