Evacuation was initiated at Westfield Stratford City shopping center in east London due to a fire outbreak in a multi-storey car park. Video footage online depicted thick black smoke emanating from the car park where multiple vehicles were ablaze on Saturday afternoon. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported that the fire was generating a substantial amount of smoke with several vehicles on fire on an upper level of car park C.
As a precautionary measure, the brigade advised people to steer clear of the area while confirming the shopping center evacuation. The incident prompted a swift response from the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) at Montfichet Road in Stratford.
Approximately 70 firefighters and ten fire engines from various fire stations including Stratford, Poplar, and Leytonstone were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters utilized a 32-meter turntable ladder to combat the blaze, successfully bringing it under control by 5:54 pm.
An official statement from the LFB stated that they were attending a vehicle fire at Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford, emphasizing the heavy smoke production and urging people to avoid the area. The LAS confirmed sending resources and treating two individuals, both of whom were discharged on-site.
Witnesses described the evacuation process, with one observer noting the thoroughness of the evacuation and expressing surprise at the lack of preparedness among the staff. Another individual mentioned the initial confusion among shoppers upon hearing the fire alarm and witnessing the smoke in the vicinity.
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