Brave firefighters put themselves at great risk and saved lives with their decisive action to carry gas canisters away from the “apocalyptic” fire that ripped through a garage close to Acton station. The huge blaze gutted the garage on Bollo Lane and left Tube passengers fleeing for their lives.
London Fire Brigade got 15 worried calls from members of the public at 5.10pm yesterday (Tuesday, February 1) as flames and smoke could be seen for miles around and fire crews had to evacuate 35 people from the area. There were 70 firefighters sent to bring the fire under control and many of them were seen bravely carrying gas cylinders out of the garage due to the risk of them exploding and causing a disaster.
Bystander Sean, 33, who lives opposite station, told MyLondon: “It was mad. It was really scary and we couldn’t make out what was going on because there were just so many sirens blaring. I saw firefighters carrying gas canisters along the road which they had taken away from near the fire.
READ MORE: ‘Apocalyptic’ damage revealed after blaze ripped through garage and left London Underground passengers fleeing
(Image: British Transport Police)
“I hate to think what would’ve happened if the fire had reached the canisters. It could have been really bad – loads of people could have died, especially firefighters.”
Acton station was evacuated, before reopening late this morning (Wednesday, February 2) and three men escaped the garage before fire crews arrived. People living in the area were told to keep their windows closed due to the amount of smoke in the air. It took firefighters until 9.25pm to bring the fire under control due to how severe it was.
Ealing Police said there were “no reports of any serious injuries” and that the “cause of the fire will be looked at with LFB”. The first pictures from the scene this morning shows a number of windows smashed out by the fire brigade to spray water over railway lines. Cars inside the workshop are damaged and witnesses report a strong burning smell.
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Amin, who works at a launderette opposite the garage, said: “It was scary. There was smoke everywhere. Nobody knew what was going on but when the fire engine came everything was ok. I went into the shop this morning and all our clothes smell of smoke.
“We will now have delays because we have to wash all the clothes again. We will lose money but I don’t know how much yet. It’s bad for us and the customer. Smoke is a horrible smell to have on your clothes.”
A woman at the scene of a fire currently raging next to Acton Town Tube station spoke of her fears for the people inside the station as she watched the flames erupt. Charlotte Derrick said she “was at the scene of the fire when it burst out” and “had fears for the people inside the train station” after watching the flames grow rapidly.
(Image: David Nathan)
She told MyLondon: “I saw a small glow coming from the roof of the garage but the fire soon quickly escalated to a roaring flame that looked to be spreading very quickly. I had fears for the people inside the train station.
“The fire brigade arrived very quickly to the scene and it was incredibly lucky that a fire station was so close by. By the time I had left the scene, there were multiple fire trucks, police cars and an ambulance.”
A local resident also described watching the fire from his home since it erupted. Arjun Nijher went out onto his balcony for some fresh air when he turned around and saw “orange flames and smoke going all the way above the building and into the sky”. He said his road had been barricaded by police who were ushering people away from the area, particularly the Tube station.
Arjun added: “I think a lot of people that were closer were quite scared. It’s awful and, most importantly, I really hope that everyone’s okay.”
Trainee Reporter – LGBT+ Specialist. Previously worked for Daily Star, The Sun, Brixton Blog and South West Londoner.
Three stories written this month include a in depth interview with LGBTQ+ activist Peter Tatchell ahead of the 50th anniversary of Gay Pride in the UK, an interview with an ex-Lieutenant Commander who had to keep his sexuality a secret in the Armed Forces for 20 years who lost his partner to AIDS two days before he left the Navy and a chat with the founder of The Gay Men’s Dance Company who offer professional training, pole dancing and a dance class in heels.
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