A fierce rooftop blaze erupted at a home on Collendale Road in Walthamstow on the afternoon of Thursday, 15 May 2025. Flames and smoke were first spotted shortly after 1:30pm, triggering numerous emergency calls from residents across the street.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) responded swiftly, dispatching multiple crews from Walthamstow and nearby stations. Initial reports came in at 1:30pm from 11 Collendale Road, with flames becoming clearly visible by 1:36pm as confirmed by witnesses who made several calls to emergency services.
By 2:00pm, the LFB escalated the response by implementing high-rise fire procedures, indicating a serious vertical fire risk. Specialist teams equipped with extended breathing apparatus (EDBA) were deployed to handle the hazardous smoke and challenging internal conditions. Backup units remained on standby at Station F36 to maintain local fire cover during the operation.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported at this stage. Firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish the fire, while the London Ambulance Service remains on alert, also attending to a separate incident at Northwood Tower in Walthamstow.
The cause of the rooftop fire is currently unknown. The London Fire Brigade has pledged to provide an update once the fire is fully extinguished and the building has been declared safe. Residents and commuters are advised to avoid the area while emergency operations are ongoing.
Originally published by UKNIP.
