Firefighters tackle scrapyard blaze in West London

01/10

Caption

EMR recycling workers are dwarfed by the flames as hundreds of tonnes of scrap metal burns in their west London scrapyard.

02/10

Caption

Hundreds of tonnes of scrap metal burn in a blaze at west London's EMR recycling yard.

03/10

Caption

EMR recycling workers are dwarfed by the flames as hundreds of tonnes of scrap metal burn.

04/10

Caption

An EMR recycling worker watches the blaze from a safe distance.

05/10

Caption

Around 40 firefighters from six fire stations across London are tackling the blaze.

06/10

Caption

A firefighter tackling the blaze at the EMR recycling yard fire.

07/10

Caption

Firefighters attempt to bring the blaze under control, the intense heat not allowing them to approach too close.

08/10

Caption

Firefighters attempt to bring the blaze under control, the intense heat not allowing them to approach too close.

09/10

Caption

Hundreds of tonnes of scrap metal burn during a fire at a metal recycling yard on Scrubbs Lane, west London.

10/10

Caption

A thick column of smoke rises from the recycling yard fire, attended by fire crews from six London fire stations.

Report current story

Fire crews from across London responded to a fire at a car scrapping yard in Willesden. The fire started on Tueday afternoon when hundreds of tons of scrap metal ignited, sending a large column of dense black smoke into the sky.

Fire crews from across London have joined forces to tackle a major blaze at a scrap metal recycling yard on Scrubbs Lane in Willesden, West London.

Part of the scrapyard containing an estimated 3,000 tonnes of scrap metal is ablaze, with firecrews expected to be on site for a number of hours. LFB Station Manager Pushminder Vagarwal who is at the scene said: “Our fire crews are working really hard to get this fire under control but it’s likely that we’ll be here for some time.

According to the London Fire Brigade, the alarm was raised at 14.48. Crews from New Malden, Willesden, Park Royal, Chelsea, Hammersmith and Paddington are on the scene. There are no reports of any injuries.

With flames leaping 40 feet into the air, the heat from the can be felt 200 metres away. Firefighters are pumping water onto the 10 metre high mountain of scrap in an attempt to gain the upper hand. A large column of thick, black smoke can be seen rising into the afternoon sky and local residents have been advised to keep their windows and doors shut.

The scrap yard, owned by EMR recycles all types of scrap metal including cars, fridges, catalytic converters and non-ferrous metals.