Around 150 people have been evacuated after a fire broke out at a 13-storey hotel in Wembley on Friday (14 July).
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters rushed to the Holiday Inn in Empire Way just after 12.30pm as London’s emergency services operate under severe pressure during the city’s fifth heatwave this year.
The hotel, believed to house asylum seekers, has been evacuated. No one is believed to have been injured.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received 29 emergency 999 calls, as the first report of a fire was recorded at 12:34 pm on Empire Way.
Control officers quickly deployed crews from Park Royal, Willesden, Northolt, and surrounding stations to bring the blaze under control.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No casualties or injuries have been reported so far.
There is currently no indication any events at Wembley Stadium this weekend will be disrupted by the nearby fire on Empire Way.
The Weeknd is set to play Wembley Stadium tonight as part of his After Hours Til Dawn tour alongside guest performer Playboi Carti, while Ghanaian star Stonebwoy performs at the nearby OVO Arena.
Tens of thousands of concertgoers are expected to arrive in Wembley from Friday evening onwards, placing heightened demand on local transport networks and public safety officers.
The fire at Empire Way comes as the country’s emergency services face unprecedented demand due to the current heatwave the UK is under.
With Thursday having been recorded as the UK’s hottest day this year, prime minister Andy Burnham warned the UK faced “tinder-box conditions”, with a spike in fire and heat-related callouts.
Extreme operational strain continues to build on emergency services nationwide, with Thursday’s devastating wildfire confirmed to have torched 40-acres in Stourbridge.
The West Midlands Fire Service has described the blaze — which is one of 11 major fires in the region over a 24-hour period — as “one of the most significant” in its history, as 999 control rooms were overwhelmed with thousands of calls.
The Wembley blaze adds to the growing scrutiny on the prime minister, as he faces mounting pressure to tackle the climate emergency.
Over his premiership, Burnham has faced consistent criticism from environmental campaigners over his hesitation to enact drastic policies against non-renewable energy, and prohibit North sea drilling.
As over half of the country continues to grapple with drought, the London Fire Brigade has urged residents and visitors to exercise caution, stay hydrated, and refrain from activities that could accidentally ignite outdoor fires.
