Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Wapping fire: Concerns gas cylinders could explode in builders' yard blaze sending smoke over London

Almost 60 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze in Wapping

Lizzie Dearden
Wednesday 18 May 2016 12:50 BST
Comments
The fire at a Wapping builders' yard viewed from Canary Wharf on 18 May 2016
The fire at a Wapping builders' yard viewed from Canary Wharf on 18 May 2016 (Steven Phillips)

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

A fire at a builders' yard in East London has sent black smoke rising over the capital amid concerns gas cylinders could explode.

Almost 60 firefighters were tackling the blaze in Wapping on Wednesday afternoon.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said smoke could be seen for miles around.

“The whole of the yard is alight. There are also reports of gas cylinders involved,” he added.

“Fire crews will be cooling the cylinders down as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.”

The brigade was called at 11.41am and the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

More than 30 people dialled 999 to report the incident on Brodlove Lane and authorities said smoke could be seen for several miles around.

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said paramedics were on standby but had not received reports of any injured people.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in