Huge Blaze Erupts at Croydon Warehouse
Six fire engines and an aerial ladder rushed to tackle a major fire that broke out just before 6pm on Thursday at a warehouse on Lancing Road, Croydon, South London.
Tires Ablaze Send Thick Black Smoke into the Sky
The blaze quickly spread to a large stockpile of tyres, creating a huge plume of choking black smoke. Purley Way is now shut both ways between Cecil Road and the A236 Mitcham Road as crews battle the inferno.
Multiple calls flooded the fire service, reporting roaring flames and the sickening stench of burning rubber.
Evacuations Underway Over Danger of Exploding Gas Cylinders
The fire is dangerously close to a roofing company. By 7pm, a number of homes were evacuated amid fears that gas cylinders on site could explode, sending shockwaves through the area.
Witnesses said they saw “massive” flames engulf a nearby tree before firefighters arrived.
Fire Crews Deploy Specialist High Volume Pump
To combat the hazardous blaze, fire chiefs brought in a High Volume Pump, normally used to tackle flooding. This portable submersible pump can deliver a whopping 7,000 litres of water per minute, giving crews the muscle they need to fight the fire.
