Major Incident Declared as Explosions Rock Southall Warehouse
A massive fire at a warehouse in Southall has been declared a major incident, forcing all firefighters to retreat to a safe distance due to fears of further explosions from suspected fireworks or gas cylinders.
'Buildings Were Shaking' From the Blast
Shocking footage from the scene shows the two-storey structure on Bridge Street within the Middlesex Business Park fully engulfed in flames, with a series of loud explosions ringing out. Local witness Ankush Chhabra reported hearing approximately 80 'high-intensity' explosions that were so powerful they left 'buildings shaking'.
Another resident, Anya, described initially mistaking the blasts for daytime fireworks, a common sound in the area. "Then I started hearing sirens and [more] explosions, much stronger than normal fireworks," she said. "The explosion was going on every 10 seconds half an hour ago... it's burning the entire place down." She admitted to starting to panic, considering leaving her home if the fire spread closer.
Firefighters Withdraw for Safety as Businesses Lost
Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne, the incident commander for the London Fire Brigade, confirmed the major incident status. "This decision has been taken due to the suspected presence of fireworks and cylinders being stored within the structure," he stated. "All firefighters have withdrawn to a safe distance and are now fighting the fire from a greater distance to ensure crew safety."
The inferno, which involved a mixed retail and warehouse space, has already had a devastating financial impact. One trader whose business was located in the warehouse told reporters his livelihood was 'burnt to ashes', estimating the loss at over £10,000.
Despite the scale of the blaze, which produced a smoke plume visible from over 15 miles away, the London Ambulance Service has confirmed there have been no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is not yet known, and officials warn it will be a protracted incident with crews expected to be on site throughout the day.
Residents in the immediate area are advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the significant smoke, and the public is urged to avoid the area as traffic is heavily impacted.
