London Fire Brigade Battled Nearly 400 Emergencies in First Two Hours of 2025
New Year’s Eve Chaos: Fires, Rescues, and Road Crashes
The London Fire Brigade kicked off 2025 with a bang, responding to almost 400 emergency calls in just the opening two hours of New Year’s Eve. From blazing house fires to dramatic water rescues, firefighters were flat out ensuring Londoners could celebrate safely.
- Notting Hill: Fire crews rushed to tackle a flat fire.
- Camden: Blazing outbuilding swiftly extinguished.
- Forest Gate: House fire brought under control.
- Primrose Hill: Emergency response to a serious road traffic crash.
Smaller, firework-related blazes also kept teams on their toes throughout the night.
Dramatic Tide Rescue on the Thames
Near midnight, a fire boat from Lambeth River Fire Station teamed up with several fire engines to rescue around 20 people trapped by the tide close to Millbank on the River Thames. Thanks to a flawless joint effort with the Coastguard and police, everyone was pulled to safety unharmed.
“Working alongside partners, everyone was thankfully brought to safety unhurt,” said Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne, who led the night’s operation.
Strategic Prep Kept London Safe
The Brigade was ready for the busy night, deploying 14 fire engines and specialist vehicles at key spots across London. Supported by 19 event officers and four fire safety officers, over 200 fire safety inspections were carried out ahead of celebrations.
“We worked closely with emergency services and resilience partners to ensure swift response times and effective support,” added Goulbourne.
Massive Warehouse Fire in Rainham
Earlier in the evening, a major blaze erupted in a warehouse on New Road, Rainham. Around 125 firefighters and 20 engines battled the complex, involving several industrial units.
“This was a tough and challenging fire,” said Assistant Commissioner Nick Davis from the scene. “Thanks to our teams, we brought it under control safely and no injuries were reported.”
Even with all hands on deck at Rainham, the Brigade kept resources ready to tackle emergencies elsewhere in the city.
A Night of Firefighting Resilience
The London Fire Brigade’s tireless efforts and careful planning ensured Londoners welcomed 2025 as safely as possible. Facing a barrage of incidents, from fires to rescues, firefighters showed why they are the capital’s frontline heroes year after year.
