A triple explosion and fire near the O2 Arena was described as a “thunderclap” on Saturday evening.
Several blasts were heard from around 7.30pm in Dock Road, Silvertown, and thick smoke was seen billowing over the event venue.
A van was destroyed while most of a car and a lorry were damaged in the huge blaze, the London Fire Brigade said.
It was later confirmed that it was a controlled explosion that was released on a film set as part of an unnamed upcoming production.
However, the fire spread out of control and led to 25 firefighters being called to the scene.
The effect was enough to leave residents of North Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs feeling rattled.
HUGE EXPLOSION AT THE O2 ARENA IN LONDON, UK💥
— Barbarik (@Sunny_000S) August 31, 2024
A huge fire erupted near the O2 Arena in Newham, East London on Saturday with huge clouds of black smoke over River Thames.
NOISE HEARD IN ISLE OF DOGS AT AROUND 7.55PM, WITH SOME PEOPLE IN THE AREA DESCRIBING IT AS THUNDERSTRIKE⚡️ pic.twitter.com/x8hPEUX04x
“Some people in the area described it as a thunderclap,” wrote one person on Twitter.
Another said: “My daughter was on train and felt a tremor on the tracks. She got off, thank God.”
A third added: “It was a scene of chaos.”
London Fire Brigade said the fire “followed a controlled explosion at a film set which spread out of control” and that firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the blaze.The brigade stayed for some time and said that nobody was injured. The fire was under control by 9pm.
just witnessed w huge explosion in london 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6wDAfrnQFZ
— Anas ☀️ (@ImightBeAnas) August 31, 2024
One witness described seeing “the biggest explosion they’ve ever seen” while they watched in shock from their balcony, as emergency services arrived at the scene shortly before 8pm.
One onlooker described hearing a “triple explosion” near the Silvertown Tunnel.
He said: “I think it was a BBC World truck. We noticed it around lunchtime as it was unusually in the area. Then 20 mins ago we felt and heard the three strong explosions.”
Another witness told the Standard how the explosions “shook the entire neighbourhood” and explained a BBC truck had been positioned at the site for around two weeks.
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled the fire at an open-air yard on Dock Road in Silvertown, on the other side of the River Thames from The O2.
There has just been a triple explosion in East London (Royal Victoria / near the Silvertown tunnel). I think it was a BBC World truck. We noticed it around lunch time as it was unusually in the area. Then 20 mins ago we felt & heard the 3 strong explosions. No clue what happened. pic.twitter.com/GVlFibRGEv
— Saverio Terracciano (@TetsuoRyuu) August 31, 2024
A spokesperson previously said: “Half of a car and lorry are alight. The Brigade was called at 1951. Crews from Poplar, Millwall, Shadwell, East Greenwich attended the scene.”
Firefighters are responding to reports of a fire near Dock Road in #Silvertown.
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) August 31, 2024
More information to follow. https://t.co/9RWOT1ok3m
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police said on X that it was aware of reports of explosions being heard in the vicinity of The O2 in Greenwich.
They added: “This was part of a pre-planned filming event in the Canning Town #E16 area. There is no risk to the public.”
Several witnesses have said that a BBC shipping container was on fire close to the River Thames.
Just witnessed the biggest explosion I've ever seen whilst I was on my balcony. Biggest flames and loudest bangs I've ever seen and heard. Police boats, helicopter and can see loads of blue lights headed that direction. Hoping it isn't a residential building. pic.twitter.com/XCXUJAJClL
— amr (@_amr91) August 31, 2024
Ryan O'Sullivan, 44, who lives in a flat opposite where the incident happened, said it sounded like an “earthquake”.
The business manager told the MailOnline: “We could have been warned there was going to be a controlled explosion.
“I thought it was a bomb. My flat was shaking. It was a huge shock. The smoke went right across the river. It was insane.
“I just thought the worst.”
