Fire crews are tackling a blaze at a bathroom showroom in Luton, which has been declared a major incident. The fire broke out near Luton Airport, prompting evacuations and road closures, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors due to smoke.
Fire Service Response and Evacuations
Bedfordshire Fire Service reported that 10 fire engines, three aerial platforms, two water carriers, and an incident command unit were deployed to Selbourne Road in Luton. The emergency response began at around 6am near the railway line, with those on Wingate Road told to vacate their premises, while those in surrounding areas were instructed to keep their doors and windows closed due to smoke.
In a statement, the fire service said: 'Our fire control room is super busy — please don’t call 999 to report this fire — we are aware, and we have multiple fire engines on scene.' In a later update, it was confirmed that 'all people are accounted for.'
Firefighting Efforts and Ongoing Closures
Firefighters have surrounded the burning building and are using water jets to combat it. The crew added: 'Firefighters have worked incredibly hard in challenging circumstances to extinguish the fire, and it is anticipated the fire service will be on scene for the rest of the day.'
As a consequence of the fire, those nearby may experience low to no water pressure. Affinity Water dispatched a technician to assist on-site. Bedfordshire Police were also called out at 6.18am to help. Four junctions near Selbourne Road remain closed.
Context: Nationwide Emergency Alert and Wildfire Risk
The incident comes less than 24 hours after a nationwide emergency alert was issued to people’s phones in England and Wales, warning the public of wildfire risk. The message was 'the most extensive use of the UK’s emergency alert system in response to an active incident', with the system first tested in April 2023.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham implored people to take the warning 'seriously', as the request came 'directly from fire and rescue services', adding that the priority is 'to keep everyone safe and prevent more fires from starting'. In the message, people were told 'not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks', after flames gutted homes in the West Midlands and Stoke-on-Trent this week, causing some people to lose everything.
Impact: Homes Destroyed and Drought Conditions
A total of 19 homes were destroyed and 18 others damaged across Stourbridge, while it took mere minutes for houses in Stoke-on-Trent’s Goldenhill area to turn to ash. Earlier in the day, the Labour leader had already implemented a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, as they pose a 'significant risk' to public safety.
Burnham has described Britain as a 'tinderbox' amid soaring temperatures, with the hottest day of the year recorded on August 13 when a provisional temperature of 38.1°C was noted in Kew Gardens. Meanwhile, over 70% of England and all of Wales are officially in drought, with the PM stating we must 'face up' to the changing climate.
