A huge fireball has engulfed an east London police station with toxic fumes seen for miles as residents are told to close windows while 125 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 engulfed in flames.
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 now 20 fire engines and around 125 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’.
London Fire Brigade said on X that ‘there are now 20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters’ tackling the fire
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
Firefighters are currently tackling the blaze in Forest Gate
The statement added that the Brigade had three 32-metre turntable ladders as well as two 64-metre ladders turntable ladders 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.
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.
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 125 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
A London Firebrigade spokesperson said on X: ‘Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters are currently tackling a fire on Romford Road in Forest Gate’
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson initially said on X that around 25 firefighters were tackling the blaze. They have since been joined by more of their colleagues.
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.
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.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
