A major blaze tore through part of a homeless camp on Tottenham Court Road late Sunday night, November 17, causing damage to nearby property and leaving debris in its wake.
London Fire Brigade crews arrived at the scene at 11:56 PM and battled the fire until 1:06 AM the following morning. Firefighters from Euston and Islington stations worked to extinguish the flames, which destroyed half a tent, an electrical display board, and approximately four cubic metres of rubbish.
Footage circulating on social media showed thick flames and firefighters working swiftly while police secured the area. Debris spilled outside a local restaurant, although some neighbouring tents remained untouched.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. London Fire Brigade confirmed that an investigation is underway but have not yet determined whether the fire was accidental or deliberate. The Metropolitan Police have not issued a statement regarding the incident.
The fire has sparked renewed concerns about the safety and support available to homeless people in central London. Local charities and advocacy groups are calling for urgent measures to protect vulnerable communities from similar incidents in the future.
“Firefighters tackled a fire on Tottenham Court Road in Central London. Around four cubic metres of rubbish were destroyed by the fire. Half of a tent and an electrical display board were damaged,” a London Fire Brigade spokesperson said.
Originally published by UKNIP.
