Blazing inferno hits Barking: Shipping containers and a van went up in flames this afternoon, sparking a major fire emergency.
Fire Erupts on River Road
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was slammed with over ten 999 calls from 2:02pm reporting thick smoke and flames roaring from shipping containers and a boxed van on River Road, Barking.
Four fire engines rushed in from East Ham, Plaistow, and Dagenham, with around 25 firefighters ready to battle the blaze.
Massive Firefighting Effort
On arrival, crews faced several ISO shipping containers and part of a van fully engulfed in fire. Firefighters launched a full assault, using hose reels and a 32-metre turntable ladder for an aerial attack.
The ferocious blaze was eventually brought under control, thanks to the swift, coordinated efforts of all teams on the ground and above.
Cause of Fire Still Unknown
The origin of the fire remains a mystery. Fire officers are probing the scene to determine what sparked the chaos.
“We were called at 14:02 today to reports of a fire on River Road in Barking. Crews used hose reels and a 32-metre turntable ladder to extinguish the fire from above. The Brigade’s Control Officers received more than 10 calls about the incident. The cause is currently under investigation.” – London Fire Brigade spokesperson
Residents Warned to Stay Safe
Locals were advised to keep windows and doors shut to avoid thick smoke drifting into homes. No injuries have been reported so far.
Fire crews remain on site dampening down hotspots and ensuring the area is safe for the public.
