Staples Corner fire in London: 90 firefighters tackle huge blaze at paint factory

Tom Powell9 January 2018

Almost 100 firefighters were battling a huge blaze at a large paint factory in north London on Monday night.

Thick, black smoke could be seen billowing for miles around while enormous flames leapt from the factory in Staples Corner, Cricklewood.

The London Fire Brigade said 15 fire engines were sent to the scene, near the North Circular road, after 45 calls were made to the emergency services.

People were urged to avoid the area and those living nearby were told to keep their windows shut, as the fire tore through the entire building.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "This is a significant fire at a paint factory off the North Circular which can be seen across London. The fire completely destroyed the single storey building."

The fire was eventually brought under control soon after midnight although firefighters remained on the scene throughout the night to "damp down" pockets of fire.

Shocked witnesses had described hearing "huge explosions" as the fire broke out at around 9.20pm, with others describing the blaze as an "inferno".

Flames and smoke were visible for miles around
Shulem Stern

Achal Dhillon, who lives less than half a mile from the scene in Hendon, said he saw fireballs being propelled into the air from the burning building up to a height of 100 metres.

"We saw a lot of flames suddenly rise up by themselves... then just this huge mountain of fire, almost pyramid shaped and spiralling as it was shooting fireballs into the air," said the 33-year-old.

"It is still going, there is a huge trail of thick black smoke."

Shocked witnesses reported hearing explosions as the fire broke out
@MPSBarnet

Another witness wrote on Twitter: "Clouds of thick black smoke can be seen from miles away filling up the horizon. Praying that everyone is safe and far away from it."

The fire brigade was called at 9.20pm, with crews from Hendon and surrounding fire stations in attendance.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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