Smoke seen across London and part of A13 road closed after fire breaks out

| Senior Live News reporter Published August 12, 2026 2:16pm Updated August 12, 2026 3:08pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Flames are ripping through a commercial estate in east London, with residents told to keep windows and doors shut during a heatwave. A huge fire erupted at a commercial property in Barking this afternoon, with smoke visible for miles on the other side of the River Thames. A chunk of the A13 has closed following the fire right next to it on Ripple Road, a main artery route to the M25, which closed yesterday due to a major fire, and Essex. Around 100 firefighters rushed to the scene shortly before 1pm after emergency calls began to flood in from concerned residents. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A towering column of thick black smoke is billowing into the air. The fire is said to be affecting a warehouse, according to Barking and Dagenham Council. A resident on a nearby road behind the business park, who asked not to be named, told Metro: ‘I heard the emergency sirens, so I went outside to see what was happening. I then saw a large amount of black smoke coming from the direction of the fire.’ A thick column of smoke is rising from the fire, which broke out next to Ripple Road A13 this afternoon She said it looks ‘quite serious’ and that she is ‘concerned about the smoke and also the impact the fire may have on nearby businesses and people.’ The woman feared the road closure will make it difficult for locals to get around, and that keeping windows shut in the hot weather will be ‘horrible.’ Due to a fire in a warehouse near Ripple Road, Barking we are advising people to avoid the area and use alternative travel routesThe London Fire Brigade are on site, and residents in the immediate area should keep doors and windows closed where possible We'll keep you updated pic.twitter.com/8kGPG7G0Eq— Barking and Dagenham Council (@lbbdcouncil) August 12, 2026 One resident in Woolwich near London City Airport said: ‘There is a large fire in Barking on an industrial site and the smoke is blowing in our direction so you might want to close windows to prevent smoke fumes getting in.’ Latest London news Another person said: ‘Strong smell of smoke can be smelled in east London.’ London Fire Brigade said: ‘Fifteen fire engines and around 100 firefighters have been called to a fire on Ripple Road in Barking. A section of the A13 has been closed as crews carry out firefighting operations. Traffic will be heavily impacted as we work to bring the fire under control. ‘The fire is producing a large amount of smoke. Where possible, residents in the local area should keep doors and windows closed. ‘The Brigade’s Control Office took the first of 15 calls at 1247 and mobilised crews from Barking, Dagenham, Ilford and other surrounding fire stations to the scene. ‘The cause is not known at this stage.’ Closure of the major road could cause a nightmare commute for motorists heading home amid the heatwave. The Ripple Road industrial park features several businesses like self-storage, Screwfix, a textiles warehouse, a lemonade firm and a DHL Express Service. A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said they were alerted at about 1pm to a fire on Maybells Commercial Estate. An ambulance and a crew were sent to the scene along with other emergency services, where ‘fortunately there were no patients,’ they said. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. Arrow MORE: Why are London’s streets especially gross right now? Arrow MORE: Cat and kittens survive 45°C heat after being trapped in scorching boiler room Arrow MORE: Men bottle hosepipe water and carry it from Brighton to London to fight ban News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.