The London Fire Brigade faced a demanding New Year’s Eve, responding to nearly 400 emergency calls within the first two hours of 2025. The night saw firefighters tackling a range of incidents, from house fires to water rescues, while ensuring Londoners could ring in the new year safely.

Operational Overview

Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne, who led the New Year’s Eve operational response, praised the dedication of the Brigade’s team:

“I’d like to thank all of our firefighters, Control Officers, and fire rescue service staff who supported New Year celebrations across London, working with our partners to keep everyone safe.

The busy night included several significant incidents:

• Notting Hill: Firefighters responded to a flat fire.
• Camden: Crews extinguished a blaze in an outbuilding.
• Forest Gate: A house fire was brought under control.
• Primrose Hill: Emergency services attended a road traffic collision.

Additionally, smaller fires caused by fireworks were reported, highlighting the risks associated with celebratory activities.

Dramatic River Thames Rescue

Around midnight, a fire boat from Lambeth River Fire Station, along with several fire appliances, was dispatched to the River Thames near Millbank. Approximately 20 people were trapped by the tide.

Thanks to a coordinated effort involving the Coastguard and police, all individuals were rescued unharmed.

“Working alongside partners, everyone was thankfully brought to safety unhurt,” Assistant Commissioner Goulbourne confirmed.

Proactive Preparation and Strategic Deployment

To manage the anticipated demands of New Year’s Eve, the Brigade implemented extensive pre-planning:

• 14 fire engines and specialist vehicles were stationed at strategic locations across London.
• 19 event officers and four fire safety officers were on duty.
• Over 200 fire safety inspections were conducted in advance of the celebrations.

“We worked closely with emergency services and resilience partners to ensure swift response times and effective support,” Goulbourne added.

Major Warehouse Fire in Rainham

Earlier on New Year’s Eve, around 20 fire engines and 125 firefighters tackled a major fire at a warehouse on New Road in Rainham.

Assistant Commissioner Nick Davis, who was on the scene, described the incident:
“This was a complex and challenging fire involving several industrial units. I’d like to thank all firefighters and officers who worked tirelessly to bring the incident to a safe conclusion, with no injuries reported.”

Firefighting operations continued throughout the night to extinguish hotspots. Despite the scale of the warehouse blaze, the Brigade ensured appliances were available to respond to other emergencies across London.

A Night of Resilience

The London Fire Brigade’s coordinated efforts demonstrated their readiness and commitment to public safety during one of the busiest nights of the year. With thorough preparation and teamwork, the Brigade ensured that New Year’s Eve in the capital was as safe as possible for millions of Londoners.

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