Police Investigate South Ealing Road Fire
Incident that led to evacuation of residents now regarded as suspicious
The police have launched an enquiry into the causes of the fire at a shop on the South Ealing Road recently after initial enquiries indicated that it may have been started deliberately.
A police spokesman said, "This fire caused massive disruption to the community and local transport links in the South Ealing Area last week and we are determined to establish how the fire began."
The fire led to widespread traffic chaos across West London with the South Ealing Road (B455) closed both ways at the junction with the B4491 Pope's Lane.
At round 01.00 on Friday 29th September police were called to reports of a fire at Kassco Food and Wine at 142 South Ealing Road. London Fire Brigade put out the fire but found an acetylene gas cylinders at the rear of the property affected by the fire. There were no injuries from the fire. On their advice a 200m cordon was established and all premises within this area are being evacuated.
Around 500 properties were affected. Residents of Creighton and Netherbury Roads were given the option of staying indoors or being evacuated to a reception centre at Ealing Town Hall at 4.30 in the morning. There were reports of several people with heart conditions suffering from the shock, and ambulances attended for those who were unable to move under their own steam. Roads further afield, such as Hereford Road, were advised that they could evacuate at 7.30 am, though many of them chose to remain at home.
Approximately 100 people chose to evacuate in the night, around 80 moving to Ealing Town Hall and the remainder going to nearby family and friends. At the Town Hall they were provided with blankets, light breakfast and a GP and district nurse were attendance.
Roads affected within the 200m cordon were South Ealing Road, Ealing Lane, Popes Lane, Dorset Road, Creighton Road, Netherbury Road, Maple Grove, Lilac Gardens, Rose Gardens, Hawthron Gardens, Chesnut Grove, Temple Road, Weymouth Avenue, Bramley Road, York Road, Wellington Road, Julien Road, Dorset Road, Gloucester Road, North Road, South Road, Sunderland Road, Cherry Close, Temple Road, Airedale Road, Hereford Road
Little Ealing Primary School and Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School were just outside the cordon. Both schools were closed for the day.
The cordon was lifted at 0100hrs on Saturday 30 th September 2006 and residents, evacuees and buses were allowed back into the cordon area.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have any information on how the fire started to contact them on 020 8810 1212, quoting Crime reference.
October 5, 2006 9:25 AM
