3 May 2021, 20:52 | Updated: 3 May 2021, 21:25
A “gigantic” fire has ripped through a boatyard on the River Thames in south-west London with explosions heard by close by residents.
Roughly 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines have been despatched to the blaze at two industrial items on Platt’s Eyot island in Hampton, Richmond upon Thames.
Access to the island is proscribed to only a single footbridge, that means firefighters have needed to hand-carry all their gear to deal with the inferno.
One native mentioned they heard “numerous bangs and pops” and that police and fire crews have been shifting folks again regardless of the blaze being “a great distance from the highway”.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed a number of fuel cylinders have been concerned in the fire however they have been cooled and eliminated by crews.
They have been first alerted to the inferno at 5:14pm, with firefighters from quite a lot of neighbouring fire stations being deployed.
The service wrote on Twitter: “Fifteen fire engines and round 100 firefighters are on the scene of a fire on Platt’s Eyot island in #RichmonduponThames.
“Two industrial items are alight.”
The fire passed off in Hampton on an island on the River Thames.
Picture:
London Fire Brigade
Fire crews may solely entry the blaze through a footbridge.
Picture:
London Fire Brigade
A spokesperson for LFB mentioned some close by boats have been moved from the scene as a precaution.
It later added: “Firefighters proceed to deal with a fire at two single-storey industrial items on Platt’s Eyot island.
“The solely entry is through a footbridge, due to this fact all of the gear needed to be carried by hand to the scene by firefighters.”
One man has been handled on the scene for smoke inhalation.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service wrote on Twitter: “Our Joint Fire Control obtained 20 calls to #Hampton Boat Sheds this night.
“We are at present aiding @LondonFire at this incident.
“Nearby residents ought to shut home windows and doorways.”
Footage of the incident reveals an enormous plume of black smoke billowing from the items, which seem to have been left utterly gutted by the blaze.
