Huge fire rips through row of shops and flats in east London
Around 100 firefighters spent five hours battling a huge blaze which engulfed a row of shops in east London last night.
It also spread to four flats situated above the commercial premises on Green Street, Newham, forcing around 26 people to evacuate.
The London Fire Brigade said 15 fire engines were called to battle the blaze, which started in one of the mid-terraced shops and wasn’t brought under control until 3.25am this morning. One man was treated by firefighters for smoke inhalation.
A spokesperson said: ‘The fire spread through several old shop premises and was difficult to gain control of due to it spreading in different ways.’
They added that firefighters will remain at the scene this morning and warned of road closures in the vicinity.
A witness told Mirror Online he believed the fire to have started at an Indian restaurant.
Abdul Shahahh, 24, captured smoke billowing out of the front of one of the shops as bright orange flames crackle overhead.
He said: ‘The fire was coming from the alleyway behind the restaurant. You can see smoke coming out of the shop but you can’t get quite close enough to see [exactly where it is coming from].’
A statement on the London Fire Brigade website said: ‘Firefighters were initially called to a fire at a mid-terraced shop with a flat above.
‘The fire spread into three neighbouring shops and into four of the flats above them.
‘The ground floor of one shop was partly damaged and two flats were also partly damaged. Two further shops and two flats were severely damaged by the fire.’
It added: ‘Firefighters will remain at the scene throughout the night and next day to dampen down the area. There are road closures in place between Westbury Terrace and Studley Road, however, busses are able to pass through.’
The cause of the fire will be investigated by the Brigade alongside the Metropolitan Police.
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