A busy road in East London, Ilford Lane, was closed in both directions this afternoon (Friday, November 15) following a fire at a two-storey building near Bedford Road, close to Ilford town centre. The incident prompted the diversion of three London bus routes.
The fire broke out on the ground floor of a restaurant and was extinguished in about 40 minutes by firefighters. The London Fire Brigade confirmed that no injuries have been reported.
London Fire Brigade Statement:
A spokesperson said:
Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters tackled a restaurant fire on Ilford Lane in Ilford. The ground floor of the two-storey building was partially damaged by fire. There are no reports of any injuries at this time.
“The Brigade was called at 12:56pm and the fire was under control by 1.36pm. Crews from Ilford and Barking fire stations attended the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Travel Disruption:
Traffic in the area has been heavily affected, with Ilford Lane completely blocked near Bedford Road. According to traffic monitoring service Inrix:
“A123 Ilford Lane [is closed in] both directions at Bedford Road. Building fire. Road blocked. Heavy traffic. Diversion in operation – for bus routes 169, EL1, and SL2.”
Local Impact:
Ilford Lane is a key route connecting Ilford and Barking town centres, running near the Ilford Elizabeth Line station. The road closure and bus diversions caused significant delays for drivers and commuters.
The London Fire Brigade is continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. Residents and motorists are advised to avoid the area and plan alternative routes.
