All homes within 25 metres were evacuated
By Victoria Munro

Around 70 firefighters raced to Walthamstow yesterday morning after sheds with gas cylinders inside caught fire.

All homes within 25 metres of the blaze in Lyne Crescent were evacuated due to the risk of the cylinders exploding.

The sheds were destroyed, along with the first floor and roof of a neighbouring home, and the fire took almost three hours to control.

A woman and child left the burning home before the London Fire Brigade arrived and were treated by paramedics at the scene after breathing in smoke.

Station Commander David Reed, who was at the scene, said: “Fires involving gas cylinders are particularly dangerous as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat. A cordon was in place as a precaution whilst crews worked hard to make the scene safe.

“There was lots of smoke so local residents in nearby properties were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors shut.”

The Brigade was called at 4.10am and had the situation in hand by 7.10am with the help of crews from all over the borough, as well as stations in Stoke Newington and Edmonton.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.