Shocking moment flat EXPLODES into flames sending smoke pouring over Erith
An explosion from a flat that went up in flames in Erith was caught on camera from a nearby home.
The townhouse on Mangold Way, surrounded by homes on either side, caught fire soon after 7pm yesterday (May 31).
A garage and flat were alight when a loud bang was heard from the building.
Over 32 reports were made to the authorities about the fire, which sent a large plume of smoke into the sky.
It took 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze, putting it out around two hours later.
The London Fire Brigade has not explained what the loud blast was, but an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
ABBEY WOOD update: Unconfirmed report that a fire and explosion that damaged a flat in Mangold Way yesterday is thought to have started due to someone allegedly cooking food in a garage. Local residents heard an explosion, thought to be a gas canister. Video: Georgia Radford. pic.twitter.com/0uRjzWselc
— Kent 999s (@Kent_999s) June 1, 2025
In total, 32 reports of the fire were made to the fire service, with crews from Erith, Bexley and East Greenwich fire stations attending.
One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was used as an observation tower to give a view of the fire from above.
A LFB spokesperson said: 'Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters tackled a fire at a mid-terraced townhouse converted into flats on Mangold Way in Erith.
'A garage and a flat were alight.
'One of the Brigade's 32-metre turntable ladders was used at the scene as an observation tower to provide the Incident Commander with an aerial view of the fire.
'Control Officers took the first of 32 calls at 1916 and mobilised crews from Erith, Bexley and East Greenwich fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 2116.
'The cause of the fire is under investigation.'
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