Evacuation as car workshop goes up in flames
A FIRE in an industrial estate in West Drayton caused significant disruption in the area, with roads closed,shops shut and residents evacuated.
The blaze broke out at a car workshop unit in Trout Road, Yiewsley, at around 11.30am on Saturday.
It took London Fire Brigade (LFB) until nearly 4.30pm to bring the flames under control and they remained at the scene into the evening.
The blaze damaged a car workshop and resulted in the closure of Trout Road and the High Street, in Yiewsley.
Some resident were asked to leave their homes, while nearby Aldi, in High Street. was temporarily shut to customers.
Witnesses said they saw a “big ball of black smoke” from the blaze, which broke out at a car workshop unit.
Nearby Yiewsley Library was being used by Hillingdon Council to help those living nearby who had been asked to leave their properties by emergency services.
The fire was contained to the car workshop, an LFB spokesman said.
Station manager Shaun Coltress said at the time: “Crews worked hard to bring the fire under control.
“The fire was contained to the unit of origin but firefighters are likely to remain at the scene into this evening.”
In total, LFB sent 10 engines and 72 firefighters to the scene.
Ciaran Sinclaire, 19, was shopping in West Drayton when he saw the fire.
He said: “I was walking into Tesco when I saw a massive big ball of black smoke rise into the air coming from Trout Road, the road next to where the car park is.
“I heard sirens come within minutes of people phoning.
“Everyone stopped and just looked as naked flames reached over the top of the building.
“I went into Tesco and came out after about an hour and there was still smoke and police and fire engines everywhere.
“I saw massive flames.”
Ethan Pearce, 15, spotted the cloud of smoke when he was shopping.
He said: “I was walking into Iceland in Yiewsley and saw a huge black cloud rising from what looks to be like an industrial estate.
“There were at least four fire engines along Trout Road, which is blocked off by police. The fire is being dealt with at the moment as the cloud has turned light grey.”
London Fire Brigade has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.