Homes evacuated as firefighters tackle railway embankment blaze in east London | London
Citizens were evacuated from their homes after a fire broke out on the railway embankment in east London.
20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters were called to the incident near Vallentin Road in Walthamstow.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire affected a house, several gardens and sheds, as well as a railway embankment. No injuries were reported.
The Guardian understands the incident was caused by an electrical fire caused by a fallen tree.
The LFB said the fire had produced a “significant amount of smoke” and people in the area were advised to close their windows and doors, while motorists should avoid the area, including Wood Street.
The Weaver Overground line is partially closed.
A 32-foot spiral staircase was also on hand and used as a water tower to help extinguish the flames from above. The brigade’s drone team was also at the scene.
LFB deputy commissioner Tom Goodall said: “We committed significant resources to this fire and firefighters worked in hot and challenging conditions to bring the blaze under control as quickly as possible.
“One house burned down, and the rear extension of a second house was damaged. Unfortunately, the gardens of nearly 30 houses were also affected by the fire. However, the teams worked hard to prevent the fire from spreading to other houses.
“A railway embankment also burned, causing disruption to the Weaver London Overground line… The Brigade will maintain a significant presence at the scene throughout the night to fully extinguish the fire.”
The LFB said it received the first of more than 100 calls at 6.27pm and officers mobilized crews from Tottenham, Bethnal Green, Walthamstow, Chingford and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
Local MP Stella Creasy posted a video from the scene on Instagram.
He said: “Please avoid the Wood Street area. We need to be able to support evacuated families.
“If you can help with refreshments please head to the St Mary’s Welcome Centre, where the team will welcome any offers of food and water.”
In a subsequent video, Creasy said most evacuated residents on surrounding roads were able to return to their homes.
Another retreat center has been set up at Walthamstow Central Library for affected people in partnership with Waltham Forest Council.
