A massive blaze erupted at a shop on High Street North, East Ham, threatening the residential flats above. Firefighters scrambled to the scene with 10 fire engines and approximately 70 crew members battling the inferno on Thursday evening, 29 May 2025.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received the first emergency call at 7.02pm after reports of thick smoke and flames pouring from a mid-terraced commercial property. In total, control officers logged 12 emergency calls from concerned witnesses.
Units from East Ham, Plaistow, Stratford, and nearby fire stations faced a fiery battle when they arrived to find half the shop’s ground floor engulfed in flames. Fears mounted that the fire could spread upwards to the homes above. LFB swiftly declared a major incident, mobilising crews to tame the blaze and prevent it from escalating further.
Details of the incident are as follows:
- Location: High Street North, East Ham, E6
- Time of first call: 19:02 BST
- Response: 10 fire engines, approximately 70 firefighters
- Structure involved: Shop with residential flats above
- Fire status: Half of shop ablaze, crews actively tackling flames
- Injuries: No confirmed casualties so far
Thick smoke is spreading through the surrounding streets. Authorities have warned the public to avoid the area and keep windows and doors shut for safety. The road remains partially closed with diversions in place, causing significant travel disruption this evening.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said, “Crews are working in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control. Our firefighters are using breathing apparatus, hose reels and main jets to tackle the flames and protect adjacent properties.”
Fire investigation teams will probe the cause once the blaze has been extinguished. Members of the public with pictures or information are encouraged to contact the London Fire Brigade or dial 999 for emergencies. Stay tuned for live updates on this developing story.
Originally published by UKNIP.
