London fire: 125 firefighters rush to tackle horror Barking blaze - Helicopter on scene
A MASSIVE plume of smoke rose into the sky in East London on Friday evening as a fire broke out in Barking.
London: Smoke spotted rising from rooftops
Images and videos show smoke rising into the skyline in East London on Friday afternoon as a fire broke out at a warehouse in Alfred Way, Barking. Emergency services rushed to the scene, including 125 firefighters and a police helicopter. The billowing smoke has been pouring into the sky for over an hour after the fire was first reported, at about 6.30pm.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed as many as 125 firefighters were currently tackling the blaze.
They said in a statement: "Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters are currently tackling a fire at an industrial estate on Alfreds Way in Barking."
Fire crews from Barking, East Ham, Dagenham, Plaistow, Ilford are helping to put out the fire.
London Ambulance Service confirmed they were at the scene and advised locals to keep their windows shut.
They wrote on Twitter: "We're at the scene of an industrial fire in Barking. If you live near to this area please keep your windows and doors shut as it is causing a large amount of smoke."
One local resident told Express.co.uk: "The smoke appears to be getting worse and worse."
Dozens of people took to social media to post pictures and comment on the fire.
One person wrote: “Seems like a huge fire somewhere in East London.”
Another added: "Serious looking #fire around Barking and Dagenham riverside area."
A third user said: "A huge fire in London, I can’t tell if it’s on our side of the river but it looks to be Thamesmead way."
People report the smoke can be seen for miles.
It is not yet known how the fire started or if anyone has been injured.
At 9.45pm fire crews were still dealing with the fire.
The sheer number of emergency service vehicles in attendance has blocked the southside of the Lodge Avenue roundabout in Barking.
People are reporting queues of traffic in both directions as a result.
The train line between Barking and Rainham has also been closed.