A major fire erupted at a waste and recycling centre near Wembley Stadium today following reports of an apparent explosion, with thick columns of smoke seen rising across north-west London.
Around 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines were deployed to the incident in Neasden after London Fire Brigade received more than 70 emergency calls shortly after 11.30am.
Crews warned people living or working nearby to shut doors and windows and to “remain inside if possible” as smoke spread from the 161,400 sq ft site.
Transport for London said the fire forced the suspension of the Metropolitan line, while Jubilee line services were halted between Willesden Green and Wembley Park.
Chiltern Railways also reported disruption on all lines towards Aylesbury, with delays affecting services between London Marylebone and Harrow-on-the-Hill. Passengers were already facing delays earlier in the day after a fire alarm sounded at Marylebone station.
London Fire Brigade said crews from Wembley, Park Royal, Willesden and other nearby stations were among those sent to tackle the blaze. The cause of the fire has not yet been established.
The fire appeared to have started at the LondonEnergy Waste Transfer Station on Hannah Close, a site positioned next to an Amazon warehouse and close to the Wembley Ikea.
The neighbouring Amazon warehouse, which was not connected to the industrial unit involved in the fire, was understood to have been evacuated as a precaution.
Smoke in the air near Wembley Stadium in north-west London today after a reported explosion
A London Underground train is pictured as a plume of smoke is seen in the sky this afternoon
Some 125 firefighters and 20 engines raced to the scene of the blaze in the Neasden area
A large plume of smoke is seen in the sky during the fire at the industrial estate this afternoon
Three of the brigade’s 100ft ladders were mobilised to the scene, along with drones, a hose laying unit and a high volume pump to increase the amount of water available.
The LFB described the fire as having broken out at a ‘mixed waste facility’, adding that an ‘industrial unit approximately 100m (300ft) by 150m (500ft) is currently alight’.
One frightened witness tweeted: ‘Massive fire near Neasden / Wembley. The smoke is scary and due to the wind, it’s getting worse. WTF has happened?!
Another said: ‘Warehouse in Wembley has just erupted into a very, very massive fire. I’ve seen at least seven fire trucks speeding down and three police cars.’
LondonEnergy is a company owned by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) which is responsible for disposing all waste for eight boroughs in the capital.
The statutory public authority services more than two million residents across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest.
Fire crews urged residents to close their doors and windows and ‘remain inside if possible’
People look at the huge plume of smoke in the sky as the fire burns in Neasden this afternoon
A large plume of smoke is seen in the sky during the fire at the industrial estate this afternoon
Smoke is seen in the sky during a fire at an industrial estate on Hannah Close this afternoon
A closed Neasden Station due to the fire today which has disrupted Underground services
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said on X: ‘London Fire Brigade is responding to a large fire on an industrial estate in Neasden. I’m receiving regular updates.
‘If you live in the area, please follow LFB’s safety advice. My thanks go to our brave firefighters who are tackling the blaze to protect lives and businesses.’
NLWA said: ‘We are currently responding to a fire at our Wembley transfer station and are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities.
‘We can confirm that all LondonEnergy employees are safe and there have been no injuries. Our immediate priority is to support the emergency response.’
A spokesman for London Ambulance Service said an incident response officer had been sent to the scene but no patients were being treated.
The next event scheduled at Wembley Stadium is an All Elite Wrestling special this Sunday, followed by Bon Jovi concerts on September 4, 6 and 9.
