At a glance
• A large fire broke out at an industrial unit on Tunnel Avenue in Greenwich, southeast London around 8pm last night, forcing the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels to close
• Around 70 firefighters and 10 engines from nearby stations tackled the blaze; no injuries reported, but two people were evacuated
• Both tunnels have reopened, though local road closures remain. Crews are still dampening hotspots, and the cause of the fire is under investigation
A huge fire at an industrial unit in southeast London forced two major tunnels to close last night.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to Tunnel Avenue in Greenwich after reports of a blaze, with footage showing thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.
No injuries were reported, though two people were evacuated from a nearby home.
Football fans travelling were advised to avoid travelling through the area, while concertgoers returning from the O2 Arena, where Benson Boone was performing, also faced disruption.
Huge fire at Vetraland timber merchants on Blackwall Labe in #Greenwich. Avoid the area. Buses are diverted. pic.twitter.com/ZAuOgzWD1b
— Aidan Smith (@aidanmasmith) November 4, 2025
The Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels were closed to northbound traffic, while southbound drivers also faced delays.
The fire service said the carriageways were shut at around 8pm due to poor visibility for motorists. Both tunnels appear to have reopened this morning.
Crews worked late into the night to bring the fire under control. They remain at the scene this morning to dampen down and extinguish deep pockets of fire, which could take several hours.
Local road closures are still in place this morning, including Tunnel Avenue and Blackwall Lane, while the Blackwall Lane slip road leading to the northbound Blackwall Tunnel also remains closed.
Drivers are advised to find alternative routes and to expect extended journey times.
The London Fire Brigade mobilised crews from East Greenwich, Deptford, Poplar and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
