A huge fireball has engulfed an east London police station with toxic fumes seen for miles as residents are told to close windows while 175 firefighters are grappling to get the inferno under control.
Footage on social media shows black smoke billowing out from the Met Police station in Forest Gate while the building’s mansard roof is ‘completely alight’, according to the fire brigade.
Firefighters can be seen aiming water at the inferno while sirens blare in the background as more fire engines reach the scene.
The fire has now reportedly spread to an adjacent property, as social media footage shows the blaze has seemingly doubled in size.
London Fire Brigade said on X that there are 30 fire engines and around 175 firefighters tackling the fire on Romford Road and that their crews will likely remain on scene throughout the evening as they continue to work to extinguish the flames.
It asked residents to keep their windows and doors closed due to the amount of toxic smoke in the area.
A Newham resident said on X that the whole borough ‘smells like smoke’, while another added that the fire was ‘getting much worse’.
The Fire Brigade fight a fire at Forest Gate Police Station in east London
Emergency Services damp down a fire at Forest Gate Police Station in east London
More than 175 firefighters are at the scene in east London as they are trying to extinguish the inferno
The fire brigade asked residents to keep their windows and doors closed due to the amount of toxic smoke in the area
Firefighters are trying to extinguish the inferno that has nearly doubled in size within an hour
London Fire Brigade said on X that ‘there are now 20 fire engines and around 175 firefighters’ tackling the fire
Firefighters are currently tackling the blaze in Forest Gate
The statement by the fire service added that the Brigade had three 32-metre turntable ladders as well as one 64-metre turntable ladder at the scene to help put out the blaze.
Videos taken from another angle show the roof of the station being overtaken by flames as a helicopter hovers in the distance to assess the situation.
Residents said the fire ‘is insane’, with ‘helicopters and non-stop sirens’ being heard in the area.
London Fire Brigade previously said in a statement: ‘It is unclear how serious the fire is or if anyone has been injured.
‘The fire is producing large amounts of smoke and people in the local area are advised to keep their windows and doors closed.
‘Road closures are in place and people are advised to avoid the area while the incident is ongoing.
‘The Brigade was called at 4.17pm. Firefighters from Stratford, Leytonstone, Plaistow and surrounding fire stations are attending the scene.’
The cause of the fire is not yet known. The Met Police told the BBC that it is not aware of anyone having been hurt.
An eyewitness told MyLondon: ‘[The] police station had suddenly caught fire at around 4pm, with the blaze going on for around 40 minutes before the fire brigade began putting out the flames. Whole situation is surreal hope everyone is okay.’
Footage shows the firefighters aiming water at the flames, causing more smoke to billow out from the building
A general view of the police station in Forest Gate which has now caught fire
London Fire Brigade said on X that ‘there are now 20 fire engines and around 175 firefighters’ tackling the fire on Romford Road and that their crews will likely remain on scene throughout the evening as they continue to work to extinguish the flames
Videos taken from another angle show the roof of the station being overtaken by flames as a helicopter hovers in the distance to assess the situation
Emergency services have cordoned off the building as firefighters are trying to put out the fire
Emergency services have cordoned off the building as firefighters are trying to put out the fire.
Romford Road is also lined with shops, hotels and public transport links as it is part of the main route linking Essex to Stratford in east London.
It is currently unclear how long the road closure and diversions of busses 25, 86, 330 and 425 will last.
Tfl said in a statement: ‘ROMFORD ROAD, E7: Routes 25 86 425 are on diversion in both directions due to a building fire.
‘Buses are diverted via Woodgrange Road, Centre Road, Aldersbrook Road, Forest Drive, Station Road, and Romford Road, missing the stops from Green Street to High Street North eastbound, and from Woodgrange Park Station to Woodgrange Road westbound.’
For the 330, TfL added: ‘Route 330 is on diversion in both directions due to a building fire.
‘Buses are diverted via Plashet Road, Upton Lane, and Woodgrange Road, missing the stops from Oakdale Road to Woodgrange Road towards Wanstead Park, and from St Dunstan’s Road to Plashet Road towards Silvertown.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.