A major fire at a waste recycling facility near Wembley Stadium has triggered a large emergency response and widespread disruption to Tube and rail services across north-west London.
Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were sent to the industrial site on Hannah Close in Neasden after the London Fire Brigade received its first reports shortly after 11:30am on Friday.
Thick smoke prompts warning to residents
The blaze produced a huge column of dark smoke that could be seen from parts of central London. The London Fire Brigade advised people in the immediate area to close their doors and windows and remain indoors where possible because of the amount of smoke being generated.
The fire service said it had received more than 70 calls about the incident and urged people to avoid the area while crews worked to bring the fire under control.
The industrial unit involved measures approximately 100 metres by 150 metres, or about 161,400 square feet.
Tube services suspended
The fire has also caused significant disruption to London’s transport network.
The entire Metropolitan line has been suspended, while the Jubilee line has been suspended between Willesden Green and Wembley Park because of the fire’s proximity to the railway.
Footage showed a Tube train travelling through a dense cloud of smoke near Wembley as emergency crews continued their response.
Rail services have also been affected. Lines towards Aylesbury were blocked, causing delays and cancellations involving services between London Marylebone and Harrow-on-the-Hill.
Transport authorities warned that disruption could continue through the afternoon and evening as firefighters dealt with the incident.
Waste transfer facility at centre of blaze
The fire broke out at the London Energy waste transfer station. The company, which operates the facility, said it was working with emergency services and relevant authorities.
London Energy said all of its employees were safe and no injuries had been reported.
The facility is operated by London Energy on behalf of the North London Waste Authority, which handles waste disposal for several north London boroughs.
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Nearby Amazon facility evacuated
A nearby Amazon delivery facility was not directly affected by the fire, but staff were evacuated as a precaution, according to reports.
The London Ambulance Service also attended the scene after receiving a call shortly before noon. An incident response officer was sent to the location, but the service said no patients were receiving treatment.
Cause of fire remains unclear
There have been reports of an explosion in connection with the incident, but the cause of the fire has not been established.
Fire crews from Wembley, Park Royal, Willesden and surrounding stations were involved in the response. Specialist firefighting equipment was also deployed as crews worked to contain the blaze.
For now, the main impact beyond the fire itself is the disruption around Wembley and Neasden, with Tube and rail passengers facing delays while emergency services continue operations.
