An incident on an east London film set recently took a dangerous turn when a pre-planned “controlled explosion” spiraled out of control near The O2 arena in Silvertown. The London Fire Brigade described the situation as a fire that followed a controlled explosion at a film set, quickly spreading beyond their expectations. The organization stated that firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, which is now under control, but not before it destroyed one van, most of a car, and a truck.
The call for assistance was made at 7:51 p.m. UTC, with the fire finally being brought under control by 9:02 p.m. The response was swift, with crews from Poplar, Millwall, Shadwell, and East Greenwich working together to contain the blaze. 25 firefighters and four fire engines were on the scene, battling the flames at the open-air yard near Dock Road and Trinity Buoy Wharf.
Local authorities, including the Newham MPS, reassured the public that there was no risk to their safety. Despite reports of explosions near The O2 in Greenwich, it was clarified that the incident was part of a pre-planned filming event in the Canning Town area. Social media posts captured the intensity of the situation, with videos showing a boat being dispatched to address the fire, along with multiple loud explosions and thick plumes of smoke.
One particular detail that caught the attention of onlookers was a burning truck labeled with “BBC News World,” prompting initial confusion and speculation regarding the involvement of the news agency in the incident. However, BBC News was quick to release a statement denying any connection to the events unfolding on the film set. As of now, the specific film set affected by the fire remains unknown, but further updates are expected to clarify the situation.
What started as a routine controlled explosion on a London film set quickly escalated into a chaotic and potentially dangerous situation. The swift response from emergency services helped prevent further damage and injuries, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of such events. As investigations continue and more information comes to light, it is important to reflect on the importance of proper safety protocols and precautions in all film production activities to prevent similar incidents in the future.