Huge Wembley fire sends smoke across North West London as 125 firefighters tackle blaze
A huge fire in the Wembley area has sent a thick plume of black smoke across North West London, with around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines tackling the blaze.
London Fire Brigade was called shortly before 11.40am today, Friday 28 August, to a fire at a waste transfer facility on Hannah Close, Neasden.
Images and footage shared online show smoke billowing high into the sky, with the plume visible from across Wembley and surrounding areas.
Residents nearby have been advised to keep doors and windows closed because of the amount of smoke coming from the fire.
20 fire engines sent to the scene
Speaking from the scene, Assistant Commissioner Andy Pennick said: “The Brigade was called at 1136 to reports of a fire on Hannah Close, Neasden. Upon arrival, firefighters were met by a well-developed fire involving a waste transfer facility. Recognising the scale of the fire, the initial officer in attendance immediately requested twenty fire engines be mobilised to the scene.
“An industrial unit, approximately 100m by 150m is currently alight. We have around 125 firefighters currently working to bring the fire under control. The fire has produced a significant amount of smoke, with local residents being advised to keep doors and windows closed as we respond. Services on nearby rail lines have also been suspended as a precaution whilst we respond.
“Four of the Brigade’s 32m ladders have been mobilised to the scene as part of our response, alongside the Brigade’s Drone Team. A Hose Laying Unit and High Volume Pump have also been deployed, increasing the amount of water available to firefighters as they work to bring the fire under control.
“This is a protracted incident that will see crews on scene for the remainder of the day as the work to fully extinguish the fire. I’d like to thank our firefighters for their hard work so far at this fire, and our Control Officers for managing a significant number of calls and coordinating or response.”
The Brigade’s Control Room took the first of more than 90 calls reporting the fire at 11.34am.
Crews from Wembley, Park Royal, Willesden and surrounding fire stations have been mobilised.
Rail services disrupted in Harrow
The fire has also caused disruption to nearby rail services.
Services on the Met line were suspended as a precaution while firefighters worked at the scene.
Chiltern Railways said the incident was affecting services towards Aylesbury, with disruption reported between London Marylebone and Harrow-on-the-Hill.
Footage shared online also appeared to show a Tube train travelling through a large cloud of smoke close to the scene.
A nearby Amazon warehouse has also reportedly been evacuated because of its proximity to the fire.
No patients currently being treated
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 11.46am today to reports of a fire on Hannah Close, NW10.
“We sent an incident response officer to the scene. We are responding alongside our emergency services partners, currently no patients are undergoing treatment.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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