Fire crews have cleared the scene of a massive structure fire that erupted at an unoccupied building in south London on Tuesday evening.
Sometime before 7 p.m., firefighters responded to the blaze at a former commercial building on Centre Street just west of Wharncliffe Road.
Heavy amounts of smoke could be seen across some parts of London, prompting city officials to send out an alert advising people living within two kilometres of Centre Street to stay inside and close up their homes.
At around 1 p.m. Wednesday, nearby residents were told it was safe to open their windows and doors and turn their HVAC systems back on.
Nearly 24 hours after the fire started, all crews have finally cleared the scene and turned the site over to the property management company.
Investigators have not provided any other details on potential injuries, or how the fire started.
https://twitter.com/LdnOntFire/status/1423047504480903168
Initially, fire officials said they used aerial operations to battle the fire and advised residents who lived within a one kilometre radius of Centre Street to close their windows and doors due to the heavy smoke.
Platoon Chief Gary Mosburger told Blackburn News that the contents of the structure were unknown, but strongly advised those with respiratory issues to stay inside and even suggested that some should evacuate.
London police closed off part of Wharncliffe Road between Emery Street and Base Line Road for several hours so firefighters could safely contain the fire.
Just before midnight, crews confirmed that the fire was under control.
London firefighters battle blaze at a vacant building on Centre St. August 3, 2021. (Photo submitted by Lisa Morren).
https://twitter.com/CityofLdnOnt/status/1422700540732088320
