A significant fire near Hackney Central station caused severe travel disruption for commuters on Sunday evening, as around 60 firefighters raced to tackle the blaze on Cottrill Gardens. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed that vehicles, a caravan, an embankment, sheds, and terraced houses were all involved in the inferno.
Fire Details and Response
Firefighters were called to the scene at approximately 6:10 PM, with crews dispatched from Homerton, Leyton, Whitechapel, and surrounding stations. Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters attended the incident. The LFB reported that a static caravan, two cars, and part of a grass embankment were alight, along with three sheds and some fencing. The fire also caused minor damage to two mid-terraced houses and a garage. Nine people left two properties before the Brigade arrived, and there were no reports of any injuries.
Control and Investigation
Control officers took the first of over 20 calls at 18:10 and mobilized crews to the scene. The fire was under control by 8:42 PM, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause. Station Commander Wayne Bloomfield, who attended the scene, stated: "Firefighters worked hard in hot weather to tackle this fire in Hackney." He added that power to the train line was isolated as a precaution while firefighting was ongoing. The Brigade's Drone Team was deployed to provide an aerial view of the fire.
Travel Disruption
Transport for London confirmed that severe delays persisted on the Weaver Line, with services between Stratford and Gospel Oak on the Mildmay Line suspended after the incident. The Central Line also experienced minor delays following a fire alert at Leytonstone. National Rail later confirmed that travel disruption had cleared.
The fire service has since confirmed that the blaze was brought under control, and an investigation is underway. No injuries have been reported at this stage.
