A major fire response is underway in Greater London after a blaze broke out within some railway arches in South Harrow. The blaze affected some businesses and sent huge black clouds into the early morning sky. With hazmat teams on site and thick smoke filling the air, residents are being urged to shut their windows.
The London Fire Brigade received dozens of calls about a blaze near Roxeth Green Avenue around 1.20am on Friday morning, and mobilised 15 fire crews from across the area. 100 firefighters are now working to subdue the fire, an operation which is expected to continue for many hours.
A drone and a pair of 32-metre ladders have been deployed by the brigade to assess the ongoing incident at the railway arches, which is continuing to burn strongly and can be seen lighting the night sky over South Harrow.
The fire service said on X: “Firefighters are tackling a fire affecting a range of railway arches in south Harrow. Residents are advised to continue to keep windows and doors shut due to smoke. We will be remaining on scene into the morning to extinguish this fire.”
A hazmat team is at the cordoned-off site, due to fears over some cylinders caught within the blaze that could potentially explode.
This stretch of Roxeth Green Avenue near the railway arches has been closed and is expected to remain so into the morning, potentially affecting traffic in the area.
Known as The Arches, this part of South Harrow contains industrial units and small businesses within each of the railway structure’s arches – where the fire is said to be focused.
London Fire Brigade statement
Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire near Roxeth Green Avenue in South Harrow.
The fire is affecting a range of railway arches and businesses situated within them. Firefighters are working hard to bring the fire under control but are likely to be on scene for several hours.
People in the local area are being asked to keep their windows and doors closed at this time due to smoke travel.
Road closures are currently in place in Roxeth Green Avenue, near the junction of The Arches, and are expected to remain in place throughout the night.
The Brigade received the first of around 40 calls about the fire at 0118 and mobilised crews from Harrow, Wembley, Stanmore, Ruislip and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
Two 32-metre turntable ladders are also attending and they are being used as water towers to help extinguish the fire from above. A drone has also been deployed, providing the Incident Commander with a greater situational awareness of the incident.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.