London Overground's Weaver Line will be suspended all day on Monday, July 13, for urgent repairs after a major fire ripped through a railway embankment and affected nearby properties in Walthamstow. The fire, which broke out on Sunday evening, required 25 fire engines and around 125 firefighters to bring under control.
Fire details and response
London Fire Brigade received the first call about the blaze at 6.27pm on Sunday, July 12. Crews from Tottenham, Bethnal Green, Walthamstow, Chingford and surrounding stations responded. The fire was brought under control at 10.35pm. Residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut and avoid the area around Vallentin Road, Wood Street and Shernall Street.
LFB Assistant Commissioner Tom Goodall praised firefighters for their efforts. He said: "This was a significant incident affecting the community this evening. We deployed a significant amount of resources to this fire and firefighters worked in hot and arduous conditions to bring it under control as swiftly as possible."
Damage and impact
One house was alight, and a second home suffered damage to a rear extension. The gardens of around 30 properties were also affected. The railway embankment fire caused disruption to the Weaver Line. Transport for London stated: "All day today there will be no service between Hackney Downs and Chingford while we conduct urgent repairs to the track following a line side fire near Wood Street. Please use London Underground and London Buses to complete your journey."
Mr Goodall confirmed: "A railway embankment was also alight and this has caused disruption to the Weaver London Overground line. We have worked closely with Transport for London and the British Transport Police to support passengers on stopped trains. All passengers have now left the railway."
Evacuations and road closures
Two rest centres were opened for evacuated residents, though crews hoped most could return home Sunday night. No injuries were reported. Fire Control Officers received around 120 calls about the fire. Motorists are urged to avoid Wood Street, Shernhall Street and surrounding roads, where closures remain in place.
Local MP Stella Creasy described it as "a major incident in Wood Street" and mentioned "an electrical fire on the train lines." The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
