Monday, May 28, 2012

Huge fire has broken out at factory warehouse in south-east London, sending smoke billowing over The City - @BBCLondonOnline

Greenwich factory fireSirens sounded as a huge smoke plume rose over the Thames and across London

A huge fire has broken out at a factory warehouse in south-east London, sending smoke billowing over the city.

A dozen fire crews are fighting the flames, which were spotted at 03:30 BST, at the factory in Peterboat Close, Greenwich, near the Blackwall Tunnel.

The fire brigade said it was still trying to find out what was in the warehouse which was on fire, describing the 80m-long building as "well alight".

Witnesses said they could hear sirens in the area.

'Smelly fog'

Rimvydas Ivoskis, from Greenwich, said: "The air siren woke me up and upon seeing huge smoke coming from behind neighbours' houses I went out to take photos.

"The siren has been ringing for about two hours now, there seems to be less smoke coming from the factory."

A caller to BBC London said there was thick smoke on the Old Kent Road, a couple of miles to the west of the fire.

He said: "You can't see your hand in front of your face.

"It is like a smelly fog."

One lane has been closed on the Blackwall Tunnel Southern Approach, leading to local delays.