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Residents have been told to avoid part of Walthamstow as firefighters tackle a massive blaze while the Weaver London Overground line is currently suspended

Residents have been evacuated and people face traffic chaos as a blaze rips through property in Walthamstow from a fire on a railway embankment.

Around 125 firefighters are battling the blaze in northeast London which includes a railway embankment, as well as a house, gardens and sheds. Large plumes of smokes can be seen in the air for miles around the fire site.

Residents have been advised to avoid the area around Wood Street entirely and keep their windows and doors closed, as crews from London Fire Brigade work to tackle the blaze.

Roads closures are in place while the Weaver Overground line is partly suspended. Rest centres have been set up locally for the hundreds of residents who have been evacuated.

London Fire Brigade said on X: "Crews are working hard to extinguish the fire in Walthamstow. Please avoid Wood Street and surrounding roads. The Weaver London Overground line is currently suspended."

While Transport for London warns of severe delays saying: "Weaver Line: No service between Hackney Downs and Chingford and SEVERE DELAYS on the rest of the line while we remove a tree from the track at Walthamstow Central. London Underground are accepting tickets via any reasonable route."

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Walthamstow at around 6.30pm today with more than 100 calls received as the the fire engulfed buildings and gardens that back on to the tracks.

And a statement from LFB reads: "Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters have been called to a fire near Vallentin Road and Shernhall Street in Walthamstow.

"The fire has affected one house, multiple gardens and sheds as well as a railway embankment. Crews have been working hard to extinguish the fire as swiftly as possible.

"The incident has been producing a significant amount of smoke and people in the area are advised to keep their windows and doors at this time. Motorists are advised to avoid the area, including Wood Street, Shernhall Street and surrounding roads, as road closures are in place. The Weaver Overground line has been partially closed."

It adds: "Two rest centres have been set up locally for residents affected by this incident in partnership with Waltham Forest Council. The Brigade received the first of over 100 calls at 1827 and Control Officers have mobilised crews from Tottenham, Bethnal Green, Walthamstow, Chingford and surrounding fire stations to the scene.

"A 32-metre turntable ladder is also in attendance and has been deployed as a water tower to help extinguish the fires from above. The Brigade's drone team are also on scene, providing the Incident Commander with a greater situational awareness."

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