Two individuals were treated for smoke inhalation on Monday after a fire in a warehouse in south London sent dense smoke billowing across the city and hampered transportation.
At its peak, 100 firefighters were dispatched to put out the fire in three business premises under railway arches near the River Thames in Elephant and Castle.
Six cars and a telephone box were also set ablaze, according to the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
The fire was put out, but a police officer and a member of the public were treated for smoke inhalation, according to London mayor Sadiq Khan.
“I want to thank our brave emergency services… who acted quickly to ensure both residents and passengers at the nearby station were safely evacuated,” Khan said.
LFB said it had received dozens of emergency calls and dispatched 15 fire engines from all across the capital to the scene.
“The cause of the fire is not known at this time,” it added. But the Metropolitan Police said it was not believed to be terror-related.
Social media footage showed thick smoke billowing from the condos, as well as a fiery explosion that forced rescue responders to flee.
From office blocks across the river in central London, thick, black smoke could be seen.
Because of the station’s proximity to the fire, roads in the region were closed, and National Rail warned that trains would be cancelled or delayed until Monday evening.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
