A major fire erupted in South Harrow early on Friday morning, prompting a large-scale emergency response and warnings to local residents to keep their windows and doors shut due to thick smoke. The blaze broke out within a series of railway arches near Roxeth Green Avenue, engulfing multiple business premises and sending towering black smoke clouds into the sky. The London Fire Brigade quickly mobilised 15 fire engines and approximately 100 firefighters to the scene, tackling what has been described as a prolonged and challenging fire that continued to burn strongly well into the morning hours.

The scale of the response highlights the complexity of the incident. Fire crews deployed specialized equipment, including drones and two 32-metre ladders, to assess and combat the fire from different angles amid the confined and difficult-to-access railway arch structures. The brigade’s official communications via social media emphasised their ongoing commitment to extinguishing the blaze and underlined the public safety advice to keep windows and doors shut to prevent smoke ingress.

This incident forms part of a broader pattern of fires in the Harrow area over recent months. Earlier in April, two separate fires were reported in South Harrow: one in a residential house on Windsor Crescent affecting several floors, and another in a first-floor flat on Stanley Road linked to an unattended candle. Both resulted in evacuations but no serious injuries, and they prompted reminders about fire safety and prevention measures. Similarly, in June, a fire broke out in a third-floor flat in nearby Harrow Weald, with the cause under investigation, showing ongoing vigilance is needed across the borough.

Although this most recent fire involves commercial premises rather than residential properties, the presence of potentially hazardous materials and the confined structure of the railway arches amplify the risks. Hazmat teams have been deployed on-site, reflecting concerns about possible dangerous substances, including gas cylinders that could explode if exposed to intense heat. Past significant fire events in the wider London area, such as the electrical substation fire near Heathrow that disrupted thousands of flights earlier this year, have illustrated the potential for fires involving industrial or infrastructure-related hazards to cause extensive disruption and danger to public safety.

Authorities have imposed road closures around the scene to facilitate emergency operations and ensure public safety. The brigade’s statement confirms that crews will remain on site for an extended period, working to fully bring the fire under control and prevent reignition. Residents, businesses, and commuters in the vicinity are advised to stay alert to official updates and observe safety precautions as the situation evolves.

Overall, while the London Fire Brigade continues their efforts to contain this serious fire in Harrow, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat fire poses, especially in urban settings with mixed commercial and residential use. It underscores the importance of ongoing preparedness, rapid emergency response, and public cooperation in mitigating harm during such emergencies.

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Source: Noah Wire Services