Dramatic, smoky east London fire caused by auto repair accident: Fire Department

CBC News

· Posted: May 12, 2025 12:51 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 minutes ago

An aggravated eastbound London occurrence that created a file of heavy achromatic fume that could beryllium seen from kilometres away, started arsenic the effect of an mishap successful a mechanical repair shop, a London Fire official said connected Monday.

The fire, which was archetypal reported earlier noon and brought successful a fig of calls from acrophobic Londoners successful varying areas, broke retired astatine 86 Clarke Road, adjacent to the intersection of Clarke and Gore Roads.

"There was a batch of black fume successful the aerial from this fire. It was a high c fire, and we enactment retired a announcement indicating for immoderate residents successful the country person windows due to the fact that determination would person been carcinogens," said London Fire platoon main manager Jamie Britton.

According to Britton, the fire started erstwhile the proprietor of a mechanical repair store was moving connected a vehicle, and sparks flew. It began successful a tiny ceramic operation earlier spreading to an attached Quonset hut, which was besides engulfed successful flames.

So far, investigators person corroborated the owner's mentation of events and said there's thing to bespeak the occurrence was suspicious successful nature. The proprietor suffered minor redness connected his limb from the fire.

Britton said 8 occurrence engines responded to the blaze. "The occurrence crews ended up utilizing an aerial [fire engine]. We were capable to get the occurrence nether power quickly," helium said.

The harm estimation is up to $300,000, and occurrence investigators proceed to probe the scene.