70 firefighters battle garage blaze in Southall which can be seen 14 miles away in Windsor

5 April 2022, 12:50 | Updated: 5 April 2022, 14:21

Ten fire engines and 80 firefighters tackle blaze on Tachbrook Road in Southall

By StephenRigley

Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters battled a garage blaze in Southall which sent massive plumes of smoke into the skies above west London.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Eyewitness reported seeing the smoke from 14 miles away in Windsor, Heathrow Airport and Kew Gardens.

The London fire service said most of a commercial garage, an adjoining storage area, several cars and a container of oil were on fire.

People were being advised to avoid the area and residents were being told to keep their doors and windows shut because of the heavy smoke.

Around 30 local residents were evacuated.

At 2.07pm firefighters confirmed the fire was under control, but said they would remain at the scene damping down.

They added there were no reports of any injuries.

Smoke seen for miles away fire in Southall
Smoke seen for miles away fire in Southall. Picture: Twitter

"There are now 10 fire engines at the scene of the fire in #Southall," said the Brigade in an earlier tweet.

"The fire is producing heavy smoke - residents in the area should close their windows and doors."

It added that three cylinders were removed from the building before the Brigade arrived, and firefighters were cooling them to an ambient temperature as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.

A 25-metre cordon was in place as a precaution.

More than 40 calls were taken about the fire.

Station Commander Graeme Hunter, who was at the scene, said: "The fire is producing heavy smoke, which is visible for miles.

"We are urging residents in the area to close their windows and doors.

"There is some disruption to traffic, so we encourage people to avoid the area whilst crews continue to work to make the scene safe."

The Brigade was called at 1145.

Fire crews from Southall, Hayes, Feltham, Heathrow and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll

Rory McIlroy breaks silence over divorce u-turn with wife Erica Stoll

Around 100 protesters gathered at Broadcasting House, the BBC’s headquarters, on Tuesday to protest against their controversial recent Gaza documentary.

'People need to lose their jobs,' says Campaign Against Antisemitism in protest outside BBC HQ over Gaza documentary

A woman has admitted committing fraud to complete UK citizenship tests on behalf of 13 applicants.

Woman who used 'array of wigs' to take UK citizenship tests admits fraud

A planetary alignment, or a planetary parade. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Seven planets set to align over UK skies in ‘planetary parade’ this week - here’s how to spot the rare spectacle

Schoolgirl, 12, charged with manslaughter over death of 80-year-old dog walker Bhim Kohli

Teen racially abused and beat grandfather Bhim Kohli with shoe as girl, 13, laughed during fatal attack, court hears

Keir Starmer has announced a boost in UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP

'We have to fight for peace': PM announces biggest defence spending rise since Cold War while cutting foreign aid

Scientists have finally given the all-clear to Earth from a newly discovered asteroid.

NASA gives new update on 'city killer' asteroid 'the size of Big Ben' - good news for Earth, bad news for Moon

William met with England coach Thomas Tuchel today.

Prince William all smiles as he meets with England coach Thomas Tuchel

Exclusive
One in four teachers would not be happy to give school lunches to their own children

One in four teachers would not be happy to give school lunches to their own children, study reveals

Andrew Westwood was found guilty of 26 offences including rape and sexual assault of a child.

Sex Education actor jailed for 15 years after raping and sexually abusing young girls

shirley ballas

Man, 37, admits stalking Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas over six-year period

Exclusive
The Prince Charles Cinema  which is facing threat of closure after the cinema's landlords demanded that a break clause be added to their new lease

Chain hotels and restaurants will kill the West End warns cinema boss in fight against closure

A doctor in the DRC (File)

Mystery disease kills more than 50 people in Democratic Republic of Congo

The incident happened on campus at the University of Nottingham

Female student, 18, dies after horror e-bike crash on university campus

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim speaks out after the latest round of redundancies at the club

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim speaks out after latest round of mass redundancies at crisis club

Aslef has called off two strikes

Elizabeth Line train driver strikes called off after new pay offer