Quick-thinking firefighters drove trucks and a dustcart clear of spreading flames after a huge fire at a skip hire and waste recycling firm at Thames Wharf in the early hours of this morning.
A London Fire Brigade Thames river boat tender was also used as 45 firefighters battled for four hours to bring the the blaze at Brewsters Waste Management Ltd in Dock Road, Silvertown, under control.
Eight fire engines from Silvertown, East Ham, Poplar, Bow, Barking, Stratford and Millwall attended the fire which broke out around midnight.
“The river boat was used to pump water from the Thames to help give a constant supply as the nearest fire hydrant was almost 300 yards away,” said White Watch Crew manager at Silvertown, Christian Hall.
“Some of the firemen moved the trucks parked in the yard to safety to prevent them being damaged,” he added.
What caused thr fire is still being investigated by the Fire Brigade’s Investigation Unit.
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