A massive blaze erupted this afternoon at a seven-storey residential building on Wards Wharf Approach in Silvertown. The fire started around 2:55 PM in a ground-floor flat, triggering a significant emergency response.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) dispatched multiple fire engines to the scene. Firefighters are bravely battling the intense flames, working to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further inside the building. Meanwhile, paramedics from the London Ambulance Service are on site providing medical assistance to residents. No casualties have been confirmed so far, though several people are being checked for smoke inhalation.
Residents of the apartment block and nearby buildings have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. The Metropolitan Police have cordoned off Wards Wharf Approach and surrounding streets to allow emergency crews to operate safely. Locals are advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed to prevent inhaling the thick smoke now billowing from the building.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as alarms sounded and thick smoke poured from the ground-floor flat before firefighters arrived. Sarah Evans, who lives in a nearby block, said: “I saw smoke pouring out of the windows, and people were rushing out of the building. The fire brigade was here very quickly, and they’ve been working hard to get it under control.”
Tom Richards added: “There was a lot of panic initially, but the firefighters were so professional and calm. It’s frightening to see something like this so close to home.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. London Fire Brigade investigators will examine the scene once it is safe to do so, considering all possibilities including electrical faults or accidental causes.
Road closures remain in effect on Wards Wharf Approach, causing significant traffic delays in Silvertown. Transport for London has urged commuters to seek alternative routes while emergency services continue their work.
Originally published by UKNIP.
