Fire sparks Westfield evacuation in Stratford: Smoke is seen near the first floor Apple store in an East London shopping center – as 60 firefighters race to the area
- The fire brigade has called to report a fire at Westfield Shopping Center in east London
- Eight pumps and about 40 firefighters arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. today
- Hundreds of customers were evacuated after smoke was seen filling the hall near the Apple
- The fire has since been brought under control, but the center will remain closed for investigation
Shoppers were evacuated from the east London Shopping center after a fire broke out in a store.
About 40 firefighters and eight engines rushed to Westfield in Stratford this morning after reports of a fire on the first floor.
Hundreds of customers raced to leave the center near the Olympic Park as smoke filled the main lobby.
The situation has been described as “critical,” although it is unclear how far the fire has spread.
Shoppers have been evacuated from an East London shopping center after a fire broke out in a store. Pictured: Smoke seen near the Apple Store
One person tweeted an image of smoke filling the main shopping hall near the Apple Store, adding: “This isn’t a small fire.”
Another person tweeted: “There’s smoke everywhere around the middle floor.”
An eyewitness outside the building stated that an emergency services helicopter was hovering over the building.
A Met Police spokesperson tweeted: “We support LondonFire by evacuating the #Westfield Mall in #Stratford following reports of a fire. ”
The cause of the fire was not yet clear, and a spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said no injuries were reported.
The fire has since been brought under control, with the fire brigade saying an investigation will be opened into the cause.
A spokesperson for the shopping center said: “After a fire broke out in an area of Westfield Stratford City this morning, the mall was safely evacuated and the fire was brought under control.
However, the center will remain closed while investigations are underway. We will update as soon as the position is reopened.
Firefighters are seen on the first floor of the Westfield Shopping Center in Stratford, east London
About 40 firefighters and eight engines rushed to Westfield in Stratford this morning after reports of a fire on the first floor
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: ‘Eight fire engines and about 60 firefighters were called to start a fire at a store on Montefishet Road in Stratford.
Firefighters treated a small fire inside a store on the first floor of a shopping center.
The mall was evacuated and no injuries were reported.
The brigade was called up at 10.03 am and the fire was brought under control by 11.44 am.
The scene was attended by firefighting teams from Stratford, Lytonston, Lytton, Pleistow and other surrounding fire stations.
The cause of the fire will be investigated.
Ads
.