By Eric King-
A massive inferno at a Brent paint factory sent smoke pouring out across London as “fireballs” were shooting into the skies.
Almost 100 fire fighters battled the huge blaze that completely destroyed a paint factory on Waterloo Road, Staples Corner in Cricklewood. As the news spread on twitter, local residents were urged to close their doors and windows as a plume of thick black smoke rose above the inferno. The cause of the fire is not known yet, but will be investigated.
The London Fire Brigade said 15 fire engines were sent to the scene, near the North Circular road, after 45 calls were made to the emergency services. People were urged to avoid the area and those living nearby were told to keep their windows shut, as the fire tore through the entire building. The fire was eventually brought under control soon after midnight although firefighters remained on the scene throughout the night to “damp down” pockets of fire.
Shocked witnesses described hearing “huge explosions” as the fire broke out at around 9.20pm, with others describing the blaze as an “inferno”.
Another witness wrote on Twitter: “Clouds of thick black smoke can be seen from miles away filling up the horizon. Praying that everyone is safe and far away from it.” The fire brigade was called at 9.20pm, with crews from Hendon and surrounding fire stations in attendance.
Achal Dhillon, who lives less than half a mile from the scene in Hendon told the press Association the fire was burning “quite violently” for more than 30 minutes.
The 33-year-old told the Press Association he saw fireballs being propelled into the air from the burning building up to a height of 100 metres.
Witnessing the fire spread through the building Mr Dhillon, after spotting what was initially a small blaze or a “little dot”, said there was then a “loud pop”.
“Then we saw a lot of flames suddenly rise up by themselves… then just this huge mountain of fire, almost pyramid shaped and spiralling as it was shooting fireballs into the air,” he said.
Mr Dhillon said there was a “huge trail of thick black smoke” and he was “amazed” at how quickly the fire service responded, adding that it was probably only a couple of minutes before they arrived and were tackling the flames.
LFB said that it was called at 9.20pm on Monday night and took more than 45 999 calls in relation to the blaze before it was brought under control at about 12.22am on Tuesday.
A spokesman said the “significant” fire could be seen across London.
“The fire completely destroyed the single storey building. Factory workers left before the Brigade arrived,” they added.
There were no reports of any injuries and firefighters remained at the scene throughout the night damping down pockets of fire.