Heavy smoke prompted warnings for people to keep windows and doors shut, while the London Overground’s Weaver line was partially closed
Residents were forced to leave their homes in Walthamstow, east London, on Sunday evening after a serious fire broke out close to Vallentin Road and Shernhall Street. Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines responded to the blaze, which involved a house, several gardens and sheds, and a railway embankment. Stella Creasy, the local MP, described the incident as a major emergency.
London Fire Brigade received more than 100 emergency calls about the fire, the first of them coming in at around 6.30pm.
With heavy smoke in the area, authorities urged people living nearby to keep their windows and doors closed. Drivers were also advised to avoid the surrounding streets while the operation continued.
The blaze caused disruption on the railway as well, with the Weaver line on the London Overground partially closed.
Ms Creasy said the incident involved an electrical fire on the railway lines, adding that roads had been closed and people evacuated as emergency services responded.
