Dagenham fire: Smoke billows over London skyline for miles from blaze at scrap metal site

Smoke can be seen billowing into the sky from miles across London after an inferno broke out at a scrap metal site. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received reports of a blaze just after 2pm this afternoon (Sunday) after the alarm was raised at an industrial site on Beamway in Dagenham, east London. The LFB said there are currently no reports of casualties or injuries.

There are 10 fire engines on scene, with around 70 firefighters working on putting out the blaze, which involves scrap metal and a number of vehicles. The crew has deployed a 32-metre turntable ladder to reach the flames.

The LFB warned locals to keep windows and doors shut to prevent the smoke from the fire entering homes. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Taking to , the LFB said: "Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are attending a fire at an industrial site on Beamway in #Dagenham. This is a very visible fire and is producing a lot of smoke. Please keep windows and doors closed if you are in the area. More to follow."

Footage of the terrifying inferno is being shared on social media. Clips show the thick acrid smoke billowing into the air, clouding the London skyline. One social media user said the smoke was "visible for miles around". MyLondon reported that the flames could be seen as far away as Greenwich, around 15 miles away.

Call operators for the fire brigade said they have received more than 50 calls about the incident. The first came at 14.09pm, leading Brigade Control Officers to mobilise crews from Dagenham, Barking, Wennington, Hornchurch and surrounding fire stations, the LFB told The Express.

Station Commander Mel Anderson, who is at the scene, said in an update that the fire has engulfed scrap metal and a number of vehicles. She added: "This is a very visible fire and it is producing a lot of smoke.

"We advise people in the area to keep their windows and doors closed. We also request that drivers avoid Rainham Road South with road closures in place whilst this incident is ongoing."

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police told The : "At around 14:32hrs on Sunday, 6 April, officers were called to the scene of a fire on Willoughby Drive, Dagenham. Police attended alongside the London Fire Brigade. At this stage, there are not believed to be any injuries, and work is ongoing to understand the cause of the fire."

This is a breaking news story. Follow us on , , , , or visit homepage.