Oxford Street in London’s West End remains closed to traffic early today after £580,000 electric dust cart caught fire, prompting a swift response from the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
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Fire crews, including three crees from Paddington and a specialist Fire Rescue Unit (FRU), were deployed to manage the blaze and ensure public safety.
The electric dust cart, recently launched as part of London’s green initiative to reduce emissions, unexpectedly erupted in flames. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered severe electrical damage, particularly in the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery system. Handling the fire was particularly challenging due to the unique risks associated with electric vehicles, such as potential reignition and toxic fumes.
Firefighters used specialized tools, including disc cutters and reciprocating saws, to create access points on the side of the dust cart, allowing them to tackle flames deep within the vehicle’s compact structure. Thanks to the quick response of the crew, all occupants were able to escape the incident without injury.
Bosses from the City of Westminster Council will be conducting a full investigation to determine the cause of the fire, focusing on possible electrical faults within the vehicle. This incident underscores rising safety concerns surrounding electric vehicle fires, particularly in densely populated areas like Oxford Street.
For safety reasons, Oxford Street remains closed in both directions Duke Street as firefighting operations and investigations continue. The London Fire Brigade has reassured the public that crews are working diligently to resolve the situation and will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
Buses Servicing the area are also no diversion whilst emergency crews continue to damp down hot spots and clean-up crews are called to remove the burnt refuse.
