In a shocking turn of events, what was supposed to be a pre-planned and controlled explosion on an east London film set ended up spiraling out of control near The O2 arena in Silvertown. The London Fire Brigade reported that the fire that ensued followed the controlled explosion, which quickly spread beyond expectation.
Firefighters were quick to respond to the escalating situation, managing to extinguish the fire that had engulfed one van, most of a car, and a truck. Fortunately, despite the intensity of the blaze, there were no reported injuries resulting from the incident. The prompt action of the crews on scene, including 25 firefighters and four fire engines from various stations, played a crucial role in bringing the situation under control.
Local authorities were swift to address any concerns within the community regarding the explosions heard near The O2 arena. The Newham MPS reassured the public through a tweet that clarified the nature of the event as a pre-planned filming activity in the Canning Town area and emphasized that there was no risk to the public.
Following the incident, videos circulated on social media platforms depicting the intensity of the fire and the efforts to combat it. Some footage showed a boat being deployed to tackle the blaze, while other clips captured the series of explosions that accompanied the fire, sending dark clouds of smoke billowing into the air. Notably, a burning truck bearing the insignia “BBC News World” was seen in the videos, prompting initial speculation about the potential involvement of the news organization. However, BBC News later clarified that they had no connection to the incident.
As of now, details about the specific film set impacted by the fire remain unclear. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of controlled explosions and the importance of stringent safety measures in place during such operations. The authorities and stakeholders involved will undoubtedly conduct a thorough investigation to understand the root cause of the incident and prevent similar mishaps in the future.