Fire Chaos in West London! A blazing fire at a Malaysian restaurant in Bayswater sparked a huge emergency response this afternoon, shutting down one of the area’s busiest roads and causing major traffic havoc.
Inferno at Putera Puteri Restaurant
Just before 3.40pm on Tuesday, April 22, flames erupted in the basement of Putera Puteri, a popular Malaysian eatery on Queensway. Over 40 firefighters from Paddington, North Kensington, and Kensington rushed to the scene. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) quickly launched a large-scale operation, battling the blaze deep inside the commercial property.
The fire was finally doused later that evening, but crews stayed on-site to hunt down hotspots and keep the area safe.
Roads Closed, Traffic Gridlock
The fire forced the closure of Queensway (B411) and parts of the A4206 Bishops Bridge Road, stretching from Westbourne Grove to Porchester Road.
Gridlock quickly spread as buses and cars faced diversions. Transport for London warned:
“A4206 Bishops Bridge Road in both directions closed due to building fire between B411 Queensway and Porchester Road. Diversion routes are in place for local buses.”
By 7.57pm, the A4206 reopened, but Queensway remained shut as fire investigators combed the scene.
Probe Into Cause Underway
LFB confirmed the fire’s cause is still under investigation. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, local businesses and daily commuters suffered major disruption.
Residents shared harrowing photos and videos showing thick smoke pouring out of the restaurant as firefighters in full breathing gear battled the blaze.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“Crews acted quickly to contain the fire to the basement area. Our fire investigators will now begin the process of establishing how it started. We thank the public for their patience while roads remain closed.”
Local Community on Edge
Neighbours were urged to keep windows shut due to lingering smoke. Bus routes stayed diverted well into the evening, while emergency crews worked tirelessly on site.
The incident adds to a troubling string of fires disrupting central London hotspots this spring. Officials are warning business owners to double-check fire safety measures to prevent future disasters.
