Yesterday’s blaze destroyed one house as well as numerous sheds and outbuildings across more than 30 gardens, reports Marco Marcelline
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been praised for its efforts in containing the huge blaze that tore through homes and gardens in Walthamstow yesterday evening (12th July).
No casualties or injuries were reported in the fire, which began shortly before 6.30pm yesterday near the Shernhall Street railway bridge.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the LFB.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire caused a tree next to the railway to fall, before flames ripped through 30 back gardens in Vallentin Road, destroying numerous sheds and outbuildings.
The fire resulted in a vast plume of smoke which was visible from as far as central London.
At least one house was destroyed, and several were badly damaged by the fire which was brought under control by 10.35pm last night.
The events prompted the local community to donate food, clothing and essential items to families who were forced to evacuate their homes.
Two community hubs, St Mary’s Walthamstow, and the Ghousia Centre in Grove Road, opened their doors to provide respite for evacuees.
The majority of affected residents were able to return to their homes by midnight; those that couldn’t spent the night in emergency accommodation provided by the council.
In a video posted to her social media channels, Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy thanked “every business that stepped up, the Fire Brigade, the police officers, the council officers who came yesterday, everybody who donated, the Waltham Forest Islamic Association, Walthamstow Welcome team at St Mary’s.”
She added: “This is an extraordinary community, thankfully these kinds of incidents are mercifully rare but I really appreciate everything you have done to help Walthamstow residents.”
Waltham Forest Council leader Paul Perkins said the town hall was “deeply grateful” to emergency services for the incident “potentially could have been far worse” had it not been for their “swift response”.
Cllr Perkins said: “We are very relieved that no one was injured. Unfortunately, several properties have been badly damaged.
“Anyone who was unable to return home has been housed in temporary accommodation. Our immediate thoughts are with these residents – we are working to get them back into their homes as soon as possible, and continuing to support them in any way that we can.
“Today, as we start to clean up, neighbourhood officers have been out in the area, going door to door to provide support. A meeting has been held between the fire brigade, local residents, and council representatives to review the situation and identify where any further recovery work is required.
“We are deeply grateful for the emergency services who keep our community safe. I am also grateful to council officers who were on the ground to ensure that anyone unable to return home could be accommodated, and who worked at pace to establish a contingency overnight rest centre if needed – important duties of the council in an emergency.
“Last but not least, I would also like to thank the local community for their kind offers of help and support for the people who were caught up in this incident.”
There will be no service on the Weaver Line between Hackney Downs and Chingford until Thursday 16th July while Transport for London conducts urgent repairs on the line.
Earlier, a Network Rail Anglia spokesperson said: “We’re sorry that Weaver line services are currently suspended between Hackney Downs and Chingford following a fire in the Walthamstow area overnight.
“Our teams are assessing the damage to railway equipment to begin the repairs which are expected to last all day. Weaver line customers are advised to use London Underground and London Buses to complete their journey.”
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