East London fire causes Overground disruption
Part of an Overground line has been suspended after a fire near rail tracks in Walthamstow, east London, Transport for London (TfL) has said.
About 125firefighters werecalled to the blaze near Vallentin Road and Shernhall Street just before 18:30 BST on Sunday, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. It was brought under control by 22:35.
One house was alight, the rear extension of another home was damaged and about 30 gardens were affected. Waltham Forest Council said some houses were evacuated and those unable to return home have been given temporary accommodation.
TfL has said the Weaver line will remain closed on Monday between Hackney Downs and Chingford for "urgent repairs" to the track.
LFB assistant commissioner, Tom Goodall, said: "This was a significant incident affecting the community this evening. I am thankful that no injuries have been sustained.
"We deployed a significant amount of resources to this fire and firefighters worked in hot and arduous conditions to bring it under control as swiftly as possible."
Two rest centres were established in the area on Sunday evening for residents who had to be evacuated. Others living nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to the significant amount of smoke produced.
Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy said in an Instagram post on Sunday evening "hundreds" of people had been affected.
She thanked locals for donations of food and water brought to the rest centres, adding "it would make you cry to see what our community's done".
Goodall said the LFB worked with TfL and the British Transport Police to "support passengers on stopped trains" and get them off the railway.
The brigade said 10 gas cylinders had been cooled to an ambient temperature as some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.
Paul Perkins, leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: "The fire in the Shernhall Street area of Walthamstow on Sunday 12 July was a serious incident that could potentially have been far worse were it not for the swift response of the emergency services, the council, and local organisations and residents.
"Most importantly, we are very relieved that no one was injured. Unfortunately, several properties have been badly damaged."
He said that anyone who was unable to return home had been housed in temporary accommodation.
A meeting has been held between the LFB, council and local residents, Perkins said, "to review the situation and identify where any further recovery work is required".
He added that the community was "deeply grateful" to the emergency service response and thanked local residents for their "offers of help and support".
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