People were forced to leave Westfield Stratford City shopping center due to a fire that started in a multi-story car park in east London. Videos shared online displayed thick black smoke rising from the car park where multiple vehicles were on fire on Saturday afternoon. The London Fire Brigade mentioned that the fire was emitting a substantial amount of smoke, with several vehicles ablaze on an upper level of car park C.
As a precaution, the brigade recommended that individuals steer clear of the area and confirmed the evacuation of the shopping center. Emergency services responded promptly to the incident at Montfichet Road in Stratford, with ten fire engines and about 70 firefighters dispatched, including teams from Stratford, Poplar, Leytonstone, and nearby fire stations.
Firefighters utilized a 32-meter turntable ladder to combat the blaze, which was eventually brought under control by 5.54pm. An official statement from the London Fire Brigade indicated that they were attending a vehicle fire at Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, with six fire engines and a 32-meter turntable ladder on the scene. The statement also reiterated the advice for people to avoid the area due to the significant smoke production.
The London Ambulance Service reported that they sent resources, including ambulance crews and hazardous area response team members, to the scene. Two individuals received treatment but were discharged on-site. Eyewitnesses recounted the evacuation process, with one shopper expressing surprise at the lack of preparedness among staff, while another observer noted the calm response of people despite the emergency situation.
The incident remains under investigation, and updates can be found on various news platforms. Subscribe for email notifications to stay informed about the latest developments.