Ilford Lane Shut After Blaze at East London Restaurant
A busy East London road was forced to close both ways this afternoon after a fire broke out in a two-storey building near Bedford Road, close to Ilford town centre.
Ilford Lane was sealed off following the blaze, which started on the ground floor of a restaurant. Firefighters brought the flames under control in just 40 minutes, with no injuries reported.
Firefighters Tackle Flames Fast
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters tackled a restaurant fire on Ilford Lane in Ilford. The fire partially damaged the ground floor of the two-storey building. Thankfully, there are no reports of injuries at this time.”
“The Brigade was called at 12:56pm and had the fire under control by 1:36pm. Crews from Ilford and Barking fire stations attended the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
Chaos on the Roads: Bus Routes Diverted
The fire caused major traffic chaos, with Ilford Lane completely blocked near Bedford Road. Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported:
- “A123 Ilford Lane both directions at Bedford Road. Building fire. Road blocked. Heavy traffic.”
- “Diversions in place for bus routes 169, EL1, and SL2.”
The closure snarled up traffic on a key route linking Ilford and Barking town centres, near the busy Ilford Elizabeth Line station. Motorists and commuters faced significant delays.
Stay Clear and Plan Ahead
The London Fire Brigade is continuing its investigation into the blaze’s cause. Locals are urged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes while emergency crews remain on site.
